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BARCLAY

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_ T ST CO.
DeJ,nous ev; Yor . l 78.
 • 1 e-

.. lnc.

rd alo r: 9 O 65
 Contents

e,h.i , or

ney lsland: Th an a . 1EC

8 'lhe, Double 1 o op11· "

a
.2 T e
l
132 T
he n a i 1 1ng
. .
5 De 1n e 1 a-il
-

h -D n e u,

61 ai· Perlec - e e · 10 1 Ca e , C ea
1

10 Roc I efeHer Ce 1.-

6.2 Thre Talents of Ra_y nond H'o d
78 AI� the : ockie elll C I s

os 1 Radi,o c.1ty M sic H LI!: TI · n N v S ts

1
220 'Kre,mlin on Fif h , venu .
230 2. Pos tsc ri pts

235 Europeans: Biu � r! IDa 1i and · Corbu i r Conquer New York·

283 Postmortem

293 Appendix: A Fictiona _ Concl usion

313 Notes
1 ntroduction

a 7

hy do e ,n 1 o
·yodor . os _o

· · IFESTO
Ho , to write a n ar af urb n� m for what remains of
thie 20th e ntury i1 1 with t' em? The fatall W'·ea·kness o·
manifestos í1s their I1n I ere t I e v�d . nce
M·anhattan s probl - m i· o p .1 . : 1t I a mountain range of evidence·
without manifesto.
líhis book was cone e ived t th. i n . rsec ion of these two observa ions: 1i
is a retroactiv ,manlf , to for M n -· 1 ta· 1.
Ma n hatt a n is t h e 2 O · 1 ce I tu ry � . L os ett tone.
Not only are large p rts o; i ·ur e occupied by architectural mu a ior, -
(Centra I Park h - S,kysct -e ) L oi i r, -�.. grn1 - nts ( Roc.kef e! 1 e r C e nter,
the U N Bu ild ing) , �,d i , · io,n I p n 1 ( ad ·o ·Cíty Music Hall) but in
addit·on each blo k 1i ra I, yers af phantom arc,hi ec u e
p o e -- s a 1d popular , an1 asies
Yo k ha 1 1ex,·s s ..
e lt1 ire ( 1 Machine ge.)
se e ed a a _an r o · s la d e re t i ,
and t- st� 1 g o 11etropol i ta, �ifestyle a nd its attendan archi , ctu r· cou lld
be p. 1 s ed ia . 1 collective expe:riment in which the enti e ci y ·e 1

18 e oiry a· -i de experiience. where the :real .and · h 1 e, . s d

i t.
boo is 1 .n nl raUon of t 1at Man 1 ha an h�ch 1 I
· s 1i
- evien rrreconcilable- · pisodes d e of
ce. an ·n er re ation ha 1ntends
rod e_ o an n o ula ed heory an
o is· 1n a o -1dl -otal ab ica by 1

s o a1 bí 1ous tha o be ea 1ze 1 O

ECSI s·
1 1 oir nc
el 1 - o o a ar h - ec .. re , s -· o e

e a s · e ess a - · lbe I ed
-;a - '- 1 ac se 1 �
00
ns11s e . y �ns
1

I ed in - S behol u

=-
Uf

or ecause-01 t ·s i -- p .r F orm. nc� 1 11m pi ica i ns

co s··s , 1 -nt�y Egnored ai d even suppressed b h e archi ec
1
. 1

ism i' e one u;rbanistic [deol:ogy hat as fe· _ · ro. 1

cone-, · ion o e spl'endors and m-iseríes of the. metro.poli n con it11 n -

hyper- - n i y- wi. hou once l·osing fa1th in it as the b s.is 1or esirabl-e
m,odern e.ui . M nhattan's archítecture is a paradigm for 'lh xploit,a ion of
congestion
Th e· ro e ive o 11 11Lla ion of Manhattan's program 1is - pai mi all
op · r_ tion�
lt reve . ls 1
er of strategi es; theorems and break·' hrou, l1s
1

no o ly iv 1 lo. ic and p.attern to the city's past pe forrr, n e u·

whos continu1i1, vi I di y is mtsen ar, argument -or s cond ieo
M n i. h1s . i - as an exp,icit doctr1íne t a, ca 1 nsie 1 ·he
is _ nd of e 1· o �gins o cl i 1 � s , lace a1m·ong conte s
i· h Ih t n .a np,I � . · h is book · s a I u 1 p · 111 o 1 1C1. o
· ion '

o
BLUEPRINT
A blueprin does not r dict tl1 e cks - � will de,ve�op in the future; j·
descri b1es an ideal state h. an o ly . e , , 1 o i �na ed� l!:n he sarn 1e way
this book d,escrilb s a ti I or i f M n 17 M - 1 ha , an as conjectur,e,
of ,, hich he present iy i l · �sed and : per ec realizatjon.
From all the ep,isod ·· 01 , n: · · n1sm his ao ·sola s on y
h se · oments is i I a d mos con . �nc i n e 1

1 · s ou'ld and 1n v, abl o· nega 1

a· alyse ·a--a a d at
a Cri is�
pe ec a-·ha a _an
n

�LOC ·s
r s sr. li e o ... Gri :
1

.
o e n 10 so a I a ." a s
an I plie r
hey s o - h - . ine· o· an ,a a s
deter ina· ion o rem ,ve i anl
possible.
T e fif h b�ock - 1 h ppendi u n - e o archi ectural proJec s
that sollidifíes Man ,, 1 - n s- pHci oc ne an neg0 1a es
1

the tr., ns� ion from M .ns s 1 1c, c�ous architectura'I produc ion
to a conscious phase.,

G HOSTWR I.TER
Movie stars who lhave led re-pack, d liv,es are often too egocentric
dv n 1

to discover patterns, too iné rticu I o ex press i ntent ians too restless to
record or ren1e�11 ber eve �. 1 ostw it .xs do it for t en1.
1 n the sarne way J was M rih tt n 's hostw, i er.
(Wi .h the added com lic 1, n I h t · y source and subjec passed i nto 1

premature seni'ii y 1efore its 'lí w compl t d r· a is why I hac to

provide my O'Wn en _in:cr)
Prehistory

Ô' a?

e r role , a a ·
CI s a- s a e

o· na _ ire a oa e
ei ligh e noes a ·a í s ran
e m a n n t , se dom -_ i1 ·s o ag
ere o b .- , v,a �d b_ s range ou · la the h - ble o . n a ia s
of a migh y n e r 1- ere in e·r pa h -:X ermi1 a Ing
prt -ciples hic i1 h cons1 g · 1en ing force woul,d ever ceas
o act untíl h:e who�e bor1 : ce ho, ld be e tirpa ed and ,e�r 1 1

memo.ry mbe almost blo ted o . , rom unde.r heaven. Civiliz.ai' ion,1 or�gi­
. m

nating in he eas , hadi e,ac ed he wes ern confines of the o�d worl 1

lt was now to cross the barr1er -h . h d a r.rested its progress and pene­
trate the forest of a con inen 1 . h, d jus appeared to the aston 1s hed
gaz.e of the millions of Christen om.
1

uNorth American barbaJlsn w s to ! iv plac,e to, European refinem,·ent.u 1

ln tl1e middle of lhe 19t 1 e n· ury- n1are than 2Q,Q, years into th,e
experiment w·hích is Manl a. u .den self consciousness about its
unique-ness eru p- :s. Th · ne,.. ,- t my 0 logize i s past a nd -rewrite a
1

r
his ory t'hat can s, v _ s futu ,e - eco · 1es u gen--.
lhe quoia 10n above- oii- 18· 8-d esc·1 es anha.1an's program
1

dis ,egard for the 1- e i eis y 1 1en · f 1es 1i s �nt ntions. Man 1a t
I

1s a theater o- p o
1 s pro agonis'ts a nn 1ples hich ·t co s an 1
Joll 1 1�
1r , , - e y, 1

VI wo N w An st r·d am," 1672_

augmenting force, wou� · v r e se to · ct' t -s p�ot is: barb.arism g1ivi 1g
way to ref inremen '.
1From these givens �ts · u e in apo�a e._ forever: s1ince he
exte mina· ing p �nc1I � s 1 e: . i ollows 'ha, what is ir fine-
�11 1 nt one om -·11 b
Th refor h e,1 e n o eve p ug ess 1n th con­
n ional s a IC on be the cyc�ic es a . m
o a e e· 110n ca 1 1 · er oc d
end ee ac li

s s ens co s anil ca .· g
ens o e p

P 10 JE T'
To a

a e d. h
_e
. -
f 1 co 1ca s .s . a
·e 1 1 a ccide ,- 1-o
a : an ur a
1e c-n er o h · ropea ali
ose easo o b �11k s e · am se ms " o
a linear port aiong he I n e· - s direct a.e ess.
, eh rch a stoc . arke , c't · 1 , � p I e- of Just ce, a prison and,
outside the walll, a hosp� 1 o plet the appar tus of he mo he-r civiiiz -
ion.,Only helar_,e,n-m fo h trear11en ands'orage
of anim,al skins i'n the c1 y . , ti ie o � s I ocat�on in he New World.
Ou s 1ide the walfs on the l,ef is · n ext nsion t�+iat seem,s to prornise -
after barely 50 years o . XI! - nc - , n -w beginning, �n the form of a
structured systet11 a f mor I ss i �e I lbl ocks �hat can extend if
the ne,ed arises, a:11 ov r - · .. isl n i ri yth n �nterrupted by a
Broadway-like diagon -_I.
lhe 1sland's Landsca,pe , ng s 1
011 1h f 1 ·· 1-0 the m1oun ainous. from ' -

1 he d to the p'lacid; th 1 cli1 ·

'WÍ alr. rn t e between1

1
M,edite rariean su TIi -s (o 11- is sugarcane fieild) and
severe (pelt-1produc111n
AII he componen 1 ,e u o I a � bu kidna ped from h
con . and trans s[and h are reassemb, ed
1n o a· o 'ª
__ 5
 ster a
e ca ba

Pl1a1 o I s 1- o r M n �r t n, 1626.
 Europe the product af con pr ssion . nd density. Already. adds tlie
engraver.. 'the city 'is f _ ous · o i1 t . no· · ous number of in habitants.,.. '
The city is a catalog� 1 e 1 of mo· 1els n p. cede, 11 s: ail the ·d1esirable
1 e l1 ements th.at xils sei 1 , e hr oug 11 Old Wo ld finaUy assemb I d.
J

in a :s�ngle place ..

1COLON.
rn par rrom .he I dians ho h ve · - ys ; een t ere - eckquaes ec s
tn he sou· h R e o h bo h pa _ o he hican
e- an 1 ·d n 1 09 b .n u _ so in hi sea e
a n,e e o h' O' behal· o

- r · ea o ses. (i
ais su .h o
li L623 30 a a
1
o pila a e lon
ho e
u
Sino ere ar 1-o a.ccid ,S h
tan s m· rs a
�
D1 e e -
1 1 h 1

a 1ca - e and ..
T e co e of 1 �e
1 -- ci 1 ·, .. · b· a en ona 1ort. edericksz is o
s rv·,ey a i eh .24 e ide · deep e closing a rec angle
e ·. ending back 6001 e he _ - - and 2 000 feet - ide ....
MThe 0 si e o t
1 h 'v1ng een s aked o as above,
11

200 fee shall be _ t_, 1- d ou 1nside 1110 g ai� thre,,e sides A B, C

for the pu rp,ose o loc 1, rni h r, ,· ·h I e lings o' the a me s ai 1d th
g,ard.ens,, a, d what j,5 l,e s I r 1 "n vacan for the ere·ct�on ,af more
house,s Ííl the fu ure .., . � -
Outside he fort 1 on h, other si of I he ditch , there ar,e to be 12 fa1r·ms
laid out in a system of 1rec g 11 r plots se para.t d by d itches�
But '�thls neat symmetric I tern, co e ived in tl1e securiity and comfort
of the compa.11y·s o· fices i1 - Am terd r , proved unsui1tabl1e to the site 011
the tlp of Manha ttan . . •
A sma l1 ler fort is lbu i l1tr t11 · r s of own la id out in a re1atively
disorderly ma.n n 1r.
1
On,ly 01ílc.e mor do e ; he 1e 1 ·, e, , or o_ ,der as.sert itselt� w1hen
the set' lers carve, o ' 11 of h, - ,ock. ,a can li I at runs -o .h1e eienter o
t e e� y 1 On ei h1e1 a -·t1ional o,utch houses ith
gabled roo ·s at the ansp�anta · ion o
e as .ccess.

1
 �- )1

e islan
1 anh · an o 2
rans e, io is a fal ,h od h o n
h o . e n 1 _ e he e. he ar'- J s . IS �1 ª'
1t
he ui 1n · s L locates
PREDICTI pha n o s; he a i • í - · r
rames. no isten
J1 807 e n '1 Wf , Gouverneur . orns an J hn u h , or G re #...

, ommf io I t . i n he mode ·that 1111 eguf te he e n·

· lusiv ' occ p ncy of M,anhattan .. Four ye·ars la er they e-
1bo,ve, ti . n, rc tíon ha separa' es the known fro111
art o· 1 city- 2 ·v nues running north-south ir:nd 5 · ets
runn111g s �w
Witl hc si ·- 1 ion they d,escribe a city of 13 x 1 56 - 2,028 biock.s
( xclu ·in to o r ph1ical accidents): a matrix tha' captur s h
s 1 11e tL1 - � all r me in ing errrtory and a I futu re act ivity on h, lsl nd.
íl . . id
1

A.dvocr' y I u hors .as fac,1lrtatjng the -· uy,ing, s Ui g ,n

· O'V'l1 1'- of re- 1 s a ·
1
his �Apotheosis o the ,gr i 1i 1n·,, ··wi, 1 i s
1

o unsophis' ·cated min 'S -is 50 y , ·

1

o · e island si ill a e at· e syml 01 o 'h

1
a
s.
o ou a eous ac of p ed1c ío1 Ci Ili

8
 la i di 1d s, un e
· bu ild n s i I s,. pha i · ies i fra es n one · is

_·EPORT
The argumentai ion o C 1ssio ,e_
s, o, is n
, ir � beco 1 e t h - . y · t a e an's per o 1 ance: he dras ic
1

d�sconnectiion b t 1 in entions he formula

1e

t1n,at e reates h e· crit�cal , o-· n ·1 nd w 11

1
IMa rnhattanism can exercis. e
1

i s ambitions
-�on e of the first o j e· s · 11 t cl i
1
t .,·tention was the form and
manne-r in whiGh bus� s si oul I b conduct d� that is to say. whet�1er
they should confine th . · · lv s o rectin11e- . r s r ets o.r whether hey
1 I

should adopt some of these su1 · ose in1provem nts, by circles, ovais
I

and stars, which cert inly e b llish plan whatever may be their e:ffects
as to convenience and u rility. n co id ring that subject they could
not but bear ln mind fl , ci y 1 om1posed princi·pally of- the habita i1 on1-
1

of men afld tha s r i1 si ight n - f dl I ouses are the mos

cheap to buírld, . n . · h- i ·n· , o live 11ni., The e ec· oí '.hese
p lain and simple ref �e·c t
1 I c1siv_ ...

a om n e e o so e
 en 1. , , tio se so smaU, for the benef it of 1r sh . 1rr� , n conse
qu n · 1. s. rv1a ion of h fth. Certa ín'!y if the city o·f N .·w Yo· w · r d, st1n,e -
1e

to s e S1� - o, a small s ream uch as tih e 1 ,es a

1�

s ,aces m1·gh be ne 1edfu bu t o· .1e k m o

h"cl I m r e a 1 h - , an · s l.a n d ren · r i 1

. as. e as e '
c1 ous· h n t e e o e f o
tan seeme.
e an magh un · O
a e con 1s _ t e dic' a · o en

' .· 1r · an - on _
s o·

e
coll1

JU o
rn1c10 s spec ..
1h a o ,e ia ia ·. 1

ne r h y i ímplies an eUec
he ·s · r . nce o opo a . o
sup r1ori · o I cons ruc ron ov .
The foi ing · s r- e s and locks · · o nc s 1 1t
n lb�i e �on, o n ure ·s (:s true amb11tion.
1

AU �ocks r · he, s,-me , ,eir equivale ce invaH ' t s, a, o 11, t

sy trt'cul i on a.n diffeten iation th:a1· have u '
1 1 1d 1

of � 10n j ci i s _he Grid makes the hi.stor� of r h I ec'

n w sys. em
\_------ of formal values to inveri for th
1 of one _, f1 ock fram another.

ns1on 1 _____ de ,1nes a new ..

n I and d· -control jn which tl1e e� y can1 be
ia d 1 d nd I u id, a metropo.�is of r,igid chaos.
e1 ,

a b

20
nated by a singl client o . , eh in e·nt,on -- eac'h archi1 ectura� 1

i de o logy - h as to be re lized f u U'.

1 11 ita i ons o·
_-{..J',,-J"--"--""""il!.L-1!. e .
1nrr1 e . nd , he · m -e1r o it.s blocks forever � ed the
1

e� ly canno gro 1n - ny e. nven 10 ai m nne,r.

1 s ptanning , h r · or can ,eve e ,e �b,e a sp-ecific b r t configuration
. .
ha �s o re a1n
1
s a 1c s. í e n only predrc that hc -
eve hap en t p -· h ithin e 2 028 b oc
e Grid
oUo s o o an occ an e n onl be es . b sh
o

1. O
1 8 a CI y C.I - S ·l

a eli s
1 , a
e o - n ud
ee an e tt' .... O e· a
car ed orna hi� r�hi ec g
i es t o i 1- p i n , i hmen1s o he ci y "'

e ico s o reli ·' 1ose o ild11

chi ect re i an' e li ii n�

CARPET
By 850. th1e poss11 11li y N ·w oirk s :xploding popu[a ion could engul"
1

·_he e·n1a�ning spa,ce 1iin ·_ ri ..l1k- e_ k 'W,av1e see1ms real1 Urgent

1 •

plans are ,made to r · . rv i t , t h a , - i l l ava i Ia b� e for pa rks b u

Hwtiile we are discussi1 s· bj .ct t h .- adva ncing popu lation of the c ity 1

�s sweeping oveir them - nd cover�1 . - · hem for our reach... w,

1n 1853 this danger is verted wit 17,e c.p ointmen o·f the Commis-
1

sioners of Estimate ,a_ ' A sessment, who are to a.cquire and .survey land
for a park i n .a d,esi : · -r . · 1 - w. :_ n Fl f I h and Ei.ghth aven ues and
59th and 04·. h (li _e 10, h) s ree, .
Central P rk is no · ·nly ,h m ja recre tionall acílity of Manhattan u
a Isa i he e,cord Or� � s · gr s: , x�d rmic preservation of natu re,
tha exh�b1 s fo ev r h �r I m I ai
u� u e ou d"stanc�ng nature. Like t 1ie
Grid, it ,s a coloss . le- · o - i h" · h contrast i d,escribes - be . een
he bl( and h -b 1 · he t·me o its creatio
.
Th e j · e � · co h n1
� p
York i I be . 1 I _ . h e a I h ra 1n
 · ion of
o m Mach·ne ... argér
t � ransplan ed
,a b w en pTa ting
1n1sl1ed appearance
re uce d , .. ,"

Cen ral Par . synlh trc

on o · he G íd ( ne l O

22
 and tilling will e • o e, - pi , u r sque�y�varied � rocky formiation a·
he ísland wil have I een co 1or ians of rows. and rows
of monotonous s ,r 1gh s r o er 1 Ct buildi1ng
1 s. The e will be
· · ·
no sugges -ion 1 s sur I ce t he excep ron of ·
e acres co 1 a1n 1n
T en e p ··1celess o . 1 se t pcuresq e o_ línes o
i � be - 1. e e its · p abíl" .
m r fui r co d.
as li oc
possi'bl on o
1 s e ese . arl
eh S. - . �
_,

ca · 1 _ ·· ea . as a

ass e ; is ak r m r ort 1n
r
co sys m o na .L r ha
o /'mal than h ·plann d
formali o
Cen rral Pa · IS s n e IC e d" n arpe

TOWER
Je: ansp a t d
e vee p·lan I n T1:e ·nsp1r:ing · a pll · of l I n1 ,0 1 ln1 r 1a 1 ionai Exhibitijon, held tn 18 1 1
appearance 1 n the Crys ai .lac , · igge s M n , - a.n s an1b· iion. Two years �a-.e lf

it has organ iz cla1m for �ts superiodty in cd·most

every respec.t, ov r li otl ·. 1citi s. At this time, the c1ty
lhardly extends norf, o 421 ·. - - p. r · f rorn the om n i present Gri .
Except near Wall Str et it I ooks , lmost rural. s.ingle hou ses scattere on
the grass-covered lo-cks · - ir, implanted on what wili become Bry nt
Park� is m·arked by two colo- 1al ,. r 1ctur s lha- cornpl,etely overwhelm
t hei r s u rro u n d i 1g , i n , ro u i íl e w se ét 1 e i n to t h e is Ia nd · s s k y li n e ;
1
wh1 ch they dom ln. -
1
e sil1 y T fi s ·s a v, rs1on of Lo11don s Cryst 1
Palace; bu s,nce1 h n l!oc.k . precludes structures beyon '
. .
certa I n I engt 1 S n1 who ,rsect�o ·s I opped y a1n
enormous dom - : 1 s . lei d, · ib · S1 e1 1nadeq· ate to s s a·n i s s
s · ze a n d i pr s n b Hoon e pande · en imp tie
1n o h ..

23
s nt 'hc e,evator - antldtrnax as
 he second cor11pl:e1m1ent r.- - r e r 1 1s ower on the other síde
o 42nd Stree .: th I ting O s rv ory, 50 , high� • lf we except the
Tower of B,abe� t ·s ' ,r 1 --- p : e U d t'1 Worl1 d·s firs
Skyscrape ..... ,.·
�- is buíl o íron-br(; ced . m e n i - b s, "ocommoda es shops.
s e m ele a or iv s - s 1e s cond- loor l,ar d- g e
e scop .-s ar 1n
Fo he firs im an s 1n . n e- i nsp e - e· r ornai . To
a e a s -ns o h be a e f - s Ii · a on
·1i n
li i a·

sa e f e

SP ERE
a a a s Cr 1 - 11 - e
i · lausibl . j
g( · acl 1 e . e ec n1 _ ues o
u q es ) ·e d on o h sa m 1. 1 a
andora s bo o tJ° · ly n ec niq s a d
1i v n ·ons ali uf h1ch ev en , all · 1
1 urrn d loose o the island eve
hough 1ey are s1
ri f ' ,e 1 1pat1 le
Fo, 1e · modes of 111 lon h1ere are pro posa Is for
nderground on-g y '_ ,ms which -thou,gh in
themselves ration .1 _ ould. i 11 i1 d sim l1 -· - 1 _ ously. utte-rly desl oy
each other''s logic.
As yet co:ntain d in h- coioss il e g, · f h om,e, hey will turri
Mar1h.attan into a ,Gal ago 1-1- nd o 1 · w techinoio,gies, where a new
chapter in tt1e surviva.l o,f the ·it ·es , iis ime a b-attle among species o·
machines, is imminent.
Among th,e exhibi s i11 - h ·_ r 1
� o i nv ntion lia t .a bove all l oth ers
will change the· ace of M t lesser de,gree of th e warld):
1

he elevatofm
ln 1s presentedl to the pu Uc 1 , iic I sp ·ctac�·e.
�isha OUs t , he n en o· mount fo m ha · ascends - he major
par .,. it seems, f 'th · on 'u h n í h. s re ched i s hi - hes
i veJ an assista t pres .n s O ·s - ger on a elve cushion�
T e · e _ or ak s he k · • · e o a · ac_ he crucial el m o

25
 nd
ni de d

26
hís own ínventijon: he e 111 h1 s 1 01i ed t platform upward and
hat n ow preven. s I f a 11. , 1
is e 11 tt · e · 1 · n s nap s.
Nothíng hap:pens 1�0 p� 1 fo, 01
ln lsib�e saf' ty ca ches I e s 10 O is b 1Uiance - preven the
·la fo·rm rom rej i1i - � h
hus O is 1n oduc � t 1 1ea. ica i y. 11e anticli a a
eno ·h non
Li 1 e h. e e a o . eh IOn IS gna 1
. .
1 ·age: co a 1 S S_ . SS 1 i s possibl 1 a e.
-, eans o In p · n om - s a · a os as 1m an . ·
or· · · ai i e
u e e i la . s
n ssi. le · isa e s -h · 1

CO- . , ·sT
o h s ai P'a ac i
a r a· p· hro o an
11S O

The n nd en oe
· ai vocabula n u e r I i i, · ts a e
T e needle is h. hll'nn 1 a olu i o s s .u u e o a a loca ·o 1

ithin I Gr1d.
lt combines ma , um P e negligi le cons mption o
. reiund. lt is ess n i 1Uy, l
w11, ,o I an 1nt 1rior..
The g�obe ís m,a hem i" ic: Uyl ·1 h r I h . encl1 0S es the maximum
1

inter�or volum, _ w1: h h - 1 _ st ex! n I skin. 1 has a promi1scuous

capacity to absorb 0 j cts 1 . opl ice gr 1phies r symbolisms; it rel,ates
them th rough the 1 .r f ct o ir coexist nce ín 1ts interior.. 1 n any
ways, the history of M 1 · · íl 1s m a · separat , identifiabie arch1tec-
tu reis a dialectic be-ween, 1 · · e wo "Orr111s, witl7 the needle wanting to
becon1e a globe a11d ,he . �ob. yin · from tinne to tirne, to turn in o
a n eed I e - a cros s � ert i 1 i z 1
t � o n � t i e s u lts i n a series of s u cc·e ss f u 1
hybdds in which tl1e d I e,, e I cí -Y fo ttr.act·ng attention and i1ts
, errltoria. n1odes y a.ir e wi h he cons:ummate receptivity
of the sphere.

27
 ..

•
..

ATlANTte. OCEAN
L ns 1'� Mt111 hattan. Hook. r f ge io-t t ü
Tow Man'11aL an's Greate N w O'"IK
on 1· cJ,nol A adia of Ul a
o he th m,d le ZOf 1

n , Sarndy a1 rn r oruc h n
Coney lsland.
The ech the
Fanta,

rm
e Ti e

ell is very badl don .

a im 'GO k

QD,EL
Now. ', her · the 1S e w ho1 sand g�it ering o . er
1

a d m,] nare . · � gr � e - f u , - ,ly mpo in, . lhe morn�ng sun looks

down on these s � m11 ,h p o_ · · m gi,cal!y rea:ll�zed dream of a poe·-
or paiT1ter.
J.At nigh , he radianc o 11 - millio o edectrlc li,ghts which glow
.at every po[nt and lin,e rI cu v of he great play city l s outlines lights
up the sky and welcorTI s t I on · coming mariner thirty miles from
the shore,.' 1
·

Or:
'"With the advent of ni s ic ci y of fire sudden�y rises from he
J

�,

ocean into th1e s·k --� Thoius,ands of , d y ,pa ks g:limmer in the darkn ss,
lirnning in fine� s 1. ,,,-s�tiiv- ,·l1ne o I h1 . I - e ackground o'f the sky
shape y o. ers o ta1 1Ul ou 1
pai _ces and emp!es.
Go�den aossamer I h · . d 1 r. Th y 1í e ine 1n ans
pare t la 1ng a an,d ,el a ay in lo e
1rro·
ab_ lous b . o d co
 Con y 11 1
1
round 1905: it is no coinc1dence h cou
1i1 p e si f ,e y Is and' - produc s of a hopel s I o
preserve a mirage - can _li oni'
or 1lso for the lood of lat r esc 1iptli n n.
he 9t and 2:0 h cen u ies, Co 1ey
� e incJpie hemes an in n
s 1s s a I a e shape an h
1 · I . n d be o e e In �1 1e p d

Co a a

1 '
1 IP
e a '91
a
e
s
1
T n
n o a o
o e a1 a ral heno
.
�n
.
5 -llaouch t ad s h en1 t cl
s a 1d eads in a sca e -d w ' 1 h

com,es a 1ous o ie u e
r bb1 s ).
1800 the actuial physic: ! s· , 1pe of C ..
h, n - s r · _ ti e combined impact of human us _ 1d · hif i
urn i g rit s i I y design, i nto a rninjatu re Man hc tta .
1 7 O e c2r ai utting ti e pen insula loose from th ,
1- inl 1 1 i
ouch 1 si ion t ng what is now Coney lsl and ....'�

CONNECTION
ln 82 · -y lsland Bridge Company constructs � th i L ti i i'"' !
ne ma.ínfand and he island ,.,_ ,llowtn,
h�p wt h Manha. an 1 . riere y now
1si f,e, 1S u1· preceden eo as h I Co · '
on · or I anhattan's resort h
e enerva 10n o
1i r a ay o_
un e e e · l
e o esc

30
Lon �v l 11,� nct a d i tor� 1 apr_) n dagt e.: 'l the
u I anc. t N _Jw Yorf� Harbor.
 -- - - � -- � --

o rec v r _ u�hbrJum.
Acc · s e _r,eful�y ca�cul1 ated · he chann ·Is frei· -· r · ,erv 1·
mus w1 e enough to fee,d the res.ort I h w
of v 1Si ors enough to keep a major11ty of u rb
ce� e r ser oi r · i U eng I f · h e es o t. Co e n be
r eh 1n 1ncr as ng n ber o ar ific·a1 conn 00

1 y· ic 1· secutive mod,es o ra s or -
B ee,- 8 .86 . as an a. n e - a ' o
or cape co · o-e ur o-
ce e . a d · s ·s n cons - e
e ha a
9 -e n ry
1

do
s ss

1n an s- - e
, a a n
o · oo as . 1 ·· h eas .
1e

Th 1 b e he fi t rail o d
h p·ng dead · · th
e oc 101 · 1thin ' he e,ac 1 of 1e ne . s·
1eac· s 1inish lin,e for a w e kly exo u · a
1
1

.
k.
1 I ! ir,
r y . h ew V1isitors bring a paras·i ic inf st uc h· i
w k � b ho . s (wh re the farg-est number can e _ n. ,e, iin t� e si11 Uest
possi1I I e 1 n h shortest possible time), foo su ppli ( 871:
ti . 11 ot g is inv nted on Coney ls�and) and prim�· �ve . · commo tion
(Pet ir Ti lyou bu�Jd s Surf House, a tavern/hot dog stand ext ··o I e
's bru p - erm inus).
f pi asure dorniílates· the middl , z, ne · v lops i
own . , ractin . a range of spec1a� ci !t11e5,
se le commensurate ·with the d·_. nd
i1rror-íma e of he seriousness with
s· wt I P1rogress Coney lsfi nd a - ac. _, th
1
of
Pe u , o s 1m .echno o ica 1m. ,s.

32
ro,
h ep r · uc 1r0, e era s 1 · o
i s rui e ..
8761 a 3001 ·oot to'.'e·-c .nterp·ec of he Cen .
·1 Celebr n n
P h i I adelphi is di.sman I d i n a ntici tion of re-er ctio elsewh re.
·ites a[II ov d rejec.te - · uddenly, · e I wo

embly. i 1d e zone ney.

nb

r
ca ha a fl

spu of co li e I
e energ n_ m1bi f
� t also off r'S ln add itio I d i rectinn o·f se pe: rn ss scensIon.

1 1QTSA1·
T e JOU n o vagr. hil d,elphi o Coney 1
e ne

i na I sti . pi ·a
sam an hnologic , li er hose m1 . · j n acros h
'United St toward Con y coincíde w1 h the trek o tribes from Afríca.
Asia .and M icronesia to h sarne desti ri t�on. Tr1ey t · o have been 011
d�splay at t fai s as , nie ar of uca iona 1 11n1men .
ets h

o a
1 an n op 1 10 of

-R'IDGE
� 1883 th · rooklyn B. ídge ren1ov ·I1e !ast ab . t e! that has k � the
1ew ma,ss iQ Manh,a 1n,: on sLim 's e eh
ecomes os den occu place 1n e
u Jn 1 ,e s Ja
e. e e as· r e 1 n e
... 1 IZ 1 S O

�To s r iv p ace of e · co ras C n Is an 1 rced

to m1u 'ate. i 1 1
s turn i elf into th - 1 o pp os· N, a tu re , �
no choice t to cou n er. e I e artif íc� Ili y of th n, w metropoli w�tl i ts
wn Sup e .N tural. 1

1 ead o ens10· u b pres r o ers

33
TRAJ ',CTO1 RY
1 h e ree n , i e C n� n i a 1 . a w e r � s t h e f i rs m n i - - t . i o n o:f . n
wi li , v n li llly tu rn the entire 1 s l , � in to 1 1Un, i1ng p
o h
vi ,ati nal theme · 1 has init1a ed ws I bar in h
ilro · s all 'Vehicl
ace
e . 1 os 1 • i ela·
Im can e
e

n 1r

ln 895 C n a pro .. ss-o ai di er and 10n , Oi' n

li ro u s a e _ pto-Freudia co in o , h
i h ·s Shoo e Chutes a obo
op of · hich a d·ago s
o ·a r. At x1e on
r or sl1p und. h 1e surface prov'des
1 s I s id downw,ard.
A st ... d low o vi itors clin1bs the tower for th . d sce · 1 ow rd
. rf wh1ich is otherw1se inhabited by ,O se� Bons By 18· O
t t�,, hin i fu hest fron1 reason, that lau gh- 1 ou -· · t t
laws of ravit ion Is th,e ti ing that takes with the Con y ls,I n 1 • 1

-ven ar 01-· ning of the Brooklyn Bríldg one venture h . i1 .

di t. ru ire
r
ire·c .ion of the island s pursuit of 1rr., io. ai ends by
tirely r ion I m ans: th irst �natural' elem 1 ent ,',o b conquere
1 i L. quest for the New PI ·asur is, n el 1 ,. n ' s
h , is aliso a t10 el.
60 fe ,r ,n c�rcumf rence .. 1 one, ,ront i,eg · a1.
stor h r d�orar :a pa ons walked up ire il · , eps in one,

hi or h s las erra ·calry 1rom its eyes iU 1in_:-

ª
n ,o as dec ed · o spen Lh ni, h h e e �
A second annexation o n ture is acl1ieved wit�, the creati on of the 1

lnexhaustíble Cow, a rmachine cons, ructe to satisfy the insatiable thi

of I he vi1sí ors then d isgui1s. ' s ' cow.
li s mil k is superior o t ,e n u. in ' e r-gul�ari,y and pred�c ·
abili of its lo , i s h n i , con r tllable tempera ur .

ELECTR CIT·
s.·milar . · dap a o · an accel r ·n ra e.
T · nordi a n - o lin· n Q a e acr ag
os 1n co ron li
' a rs1a a, r 1

· ai se ·e

a
so pr a 1 h
o e ire·ac
890 es .s e e e
a 1 ar e s ai
b -d on a
a a T 1 e a 1 ,a
ou 1r n 10 - .

ha is u · 1qu n Con 1 1 a 11 d 1, í y drom . o h es1s 1

r
Synthe ic p,ref1gu , l:a .· , a -·s ha' l S false
day i e is not

1CYLI 'DERS
. ven the mr0st i· t1, a s · -ct , f I ur n na ur,_ are subjec ed to exp ri-
ment. 1 f 1 �fe � n the m etro ai i cr
1 s 1, 1 si iness a nd al1ienafcion, Coney
�sland
l counterattacks wi ·h 1·1,e B ,rr Is of Love. Two horizontal cyl1nders
rnounted in llne - revolve slowly in opposite d�r,ectioris. At erther end a
smal� staircase I ads u·. o. n . ntranc -
,Qne feeds men into I
e :e other women.
lt is impossjbl.e to rema1n n 1ng.
IMen and wornen ali' on op o . cll o he,-.
The unrelent·,ng ro a, i1 n a' rica es syn h , ic �ni ,11maicy
bebN·een peopl1 e o ,ui. , 1 1v. met.
_is in macy can · e urthe proc 1h- Turi. ·_Is o' Lov · an !

ª
a if cial mo 1n a� n 1
,h Is o Love 0 u síde he 1

mountain he o s all boa a d·sap ar .

e Ba ncr-
inside a dark I unne I l,e d i to I i, . rio 1 -- k . l nsJde the tu nneJ com-
pie e obscu ity I nsu s a_ li iv · from he muffled noises 't
is irn possi1 ble to , u · ss lho e u I s re , 1 ass·ng 'he lake at any
one I ime. The roc �ng o 1
m li I o · s on h , lhallo wa er re.info e s
e sens ali y of h nc

HORSES
he a orí e ac .1 1 yo 1 co he islan. 1n s
1r: 1 s a e a ide a o 1

o soph11s ica ·o
· 1nal ·s1 0 1 s� s. 1 a· e· a e e

i1 s s
n a
msl e
a _s.a s.
ac
s a o
ra 1

e ar · o a ce a1
r he sp ed
e manner In ,e os-tio on 1

: esce . 1ng an .. s h contes. a ac a 1 r ce. 6

T e horses ope a e 2 hio ire · n unpr e dente success.

�nancia� ín · estmen, ,n t1 · r ck I cifter hree eeks . · operation.
lnspired by the M1 �dw y Pi _ís ,ce whi h1 connected the two halves of the
Chicago W rld ·s a1r i · 89 , THyo I colt e s 1 ddí 1onaJ facilities - inclu ·
i'ng a Ferris wheel rom . f 1ir- ,alo g and around .he mechanicat
cou rse 1 grad uany staJ-< 1 n ou li 1mus,ement area that is · orn1al
ized when in 18917 he erects · . I it ·. nd channe�s his v�sitors
through en rances n1 1 rke by trium h' ! es of plaster accumulations
of the iconography af 1 . gh r - clowns r i
1rots n1asks. W�th the ,act of
. nclosure� Tilyou h, ,s est
e d r 11 aggressive oppoS'i'if. on between
what he nan1es Ste pi eh / rk d s of he island.

F10IR UIL'.
C,oney ls�and 's epu � _ tjo I lt
1 d en as -ts p,opularjty lhas
is n .. Th 1 f 1"m1ula 1nno· co up 10n
OU· S . - i plied ncl OSSI
e a ili ation. S

37
· or a g adu I cl. 1 r - o · h _ island o'h r �se �os ·�tory� 1 o 1ld
early be coun u ai ac1h ies o
comp e y o· u s. ocess o
- es 1111
e archr e a1

.
e call
e
ils o b a h.
li , nding Lhe ac ,,ng ealism
horses and a din _ h obs· ac es as the · mp, · 1 ven íng onl
one more de ic - urthe his p rk he reati y a· e 1

tsl,alíld: hrs eri r 1nc , , , 0w ll ead directly to h -

1 rt h ua:ke fl1001r, wh r
na - u ra I s k i n of t h e rt is re·p[aced by a liidd n rnechan1cal graft t 1- t
shakes. The random s· nd violence of th. - ·remors den1and surrende 1•

To earn tl1 · rig t o . n _ r Ste pl1echase th visi ar rnust participat,e

1n an invo1I unta· y 11 -·.
E haus ed b- js i · ntio s Tilyou writes po Ir· n, e p ures I a
r
mo en of luci · u liori s gn'fi anc _: � 1e as elped
e -ea e: I f Pa i , r nc � oney lsla , d- e �,-- - Jun n -· pte b ,: J -
.I�

· orld.

e o
om- s
EI er O_ dy op - a k- n ..
D ndy is a fin nci 1 1· s and an en e rr1 n prof ssronal· h - hê l
e · per1ence . t r e ians and conces ns ho pson s Co . s
fi· st i11mporta -, : he has no pr via·. s · n e w-th any o mi
of amus.ement. A 26 11 has dropped out -f chi" e ral schooL frus,
trated by the irre,I v� nc o he Beaux-Ar s sys · n, to he new age.
H e is th,e fi r·-. t ro · ssio1 ai d - signer active on h - isl d.
Barrowjng Tilyou s ·,a k- nclave modei, Tho s n invests it with
systemaiic 1int ri 1il - 1gor and a degree o 1
1
li � a. 10n hat puts i' s
1 1

lan 1ng once a11d o li on - conscious and a cl i ec u ai basis.

S eeplec s sol ' 1 om i' s su _ d1 o th mos li
li - e �
all - n s1n _a
a
ac 1 1
1 -
e en
- . -
na , ar s 1e r 1' s ro s t co C1 t ai 1 lo
tlirough which th y U · v o ss:
1
he Trip to the Moon on t e �1rshi . l ,11 ai �V ... Once on baard o,f
the great airship, e u e w1 gs In U r rhe tr p 1 s reaHy begun
and the ship � - so,on 100 ·e· in on , r · 1 1 1desp eadl
panorama o the s. r o d1n an - - 1d Long lsland seems
o be receding as h ship a CI.
o ses recede om v·e un il des from sight
n I r.P · -e e un- r sa e - e h . ·a re
a
de nd pass n ·ers e er

li1 e ess a

T EO
n a o a oo Ia
a o a1 on s� in his
pos1 o oe ians o coll e ·
consc1ous.
The lake 1s (ined o o n , r - s s ec m _ ns o o
are I i ec ure� Tho· npson o Iiea1 1 e acu e ess o - is
pri a e r,ebeU ion a ai Is 8 s ssion.
Trac d by a I eiporter 111 h o 1, 11 11an a y u,pheaval ... � he
arch-pl o ter of t 11 is em - ryo ·e w s] sea ed o ver a n ,ext inct
volcano of his own m king _nd conJU ing rry shapes out of the formress
void around 'hit11.'•
For Thompson Lun P rk is m n� -_ sto:
·'Yo u s ee, li hav e 1b u i 1 · L u n r k o n - : d f i n it e ar e �, it e e tu r a 11 p Ia n. As i 1 is e
place of a111usement j I v - eliími a - li classical conventional forrns
1

from1 its str·ucture an ken Siort of fre r aissance and Oriental typ -
for rn,y model, us1ing - ires . nd mi - r s w1I erever I could,, ín order to
get the restive,� joyaus, - e ,_o ived always from ti e graceful lin ,s
g11ven in this s yle of ar, hi e,c r
· lt is mairvelous wha you y o arous�ng human emo ians
1
by · - e . se yo can m, - s1mp[e lines Luna Park s
built o ha th or -and t _ - ·-- i i 1s p oven _ ha heory s o th.�
is js 19 3�
10

1ne -n e s m
nJ 1 1 li
pinnacles and tow r limned g, ins --- ILI - �rmament 1,thatJ l·S wonder-
fu �ly pleas1 ng to t ,ous n s f ,y
1

r il 1
· t r d of the br"ck 1mortar
and s on - 01 ti e Grea � y:
Befor r·hon1pso . s1ngl r h 1 n _e a f ai -s as J o · e
climaxes of e abora Be lJ . · e sma on ar s
e fu ,y coor inc o li h i d. ni y an a
om eir s1ngl ss.
Tho pson s gen1us r le ae a ran o o
a r zied
se a h
o
IS ·U e. o es

- ar

a
as r o
.ar ys e a g1 g.
·� s a i nar Lu n
E e i o he r C1 y o rs:
u ct·on _ ss ce · a 10n and �eep any c-
og zable a iy r _ he s -lectric·
of h - ph· 1ali a i usio - as an
archi ectLJi e I dupr e
ln broad dayligh
l Lu a''s r 11 v a p_ ti etic d1mensio · an
aura of che:apness u y u , e i11 over 1its s:kyfine a netwo k of
wires and lrg:ht bulbs, Tha 1 - o d econd, iU usory s.kylíne
1

even more 1 mpressiv · tl1 t! e ·ir 1

te city of night.
� ln he wilderness of th ky - n rises he m,agic picture of
a fia n1ing City r, and � wi h h -. t o'f n igh a f a n astic city all of f ire
suddenly rises from tl·1 : oce I i t he ,_ ky. 1 i . Fabulous beyond
1

e o n e e i v ii n g i n e ff a b I y b e a l t I u I is h Is I i e r y , e I n ti li a ti o íl :'
For e pdce of one Th m on 1 1 i cr · t ·d two di1sbnct cit[es, each with
i1 ts OW'n charac ·,er, t s own I i - ·1 i s ow -"". brt nts. Now the city 1tsel( i,s
to be lived iin sh i1f ; he I ct r 11 t m o fspr·n° o he ,� reaf city
is an even more po , e fu( in ' r 1
t · ·h fui 'il n nt of tantasy�

' STRUCTU -E
To e orrn t is -i h m p on h s compa e o
38 ac es o h·s park an 1 L a 1 s I a rnc -

1
 incl Ie os m·od· rn fragment of tlie wo :ld. Lur _ 's iI r 1ruc�
unic tons ne, work are· more ,co,m 11--x el · oir ·
1

nd 1 1e1 gy.consun ing· than hose of ios co 1 • 1em o y

• -
e
1 . e s .n 111 gi .e an 1... ea o h 1
•
. llíl lL
.
e g ·he s mmer s ·as ITT. ha 1 n
e ireiess o 1·ce and loc 1 and o nice
- 00 000 eleCLrlC igh sare us_d 111 ..
-
T 1
o s cr are UI a .le ac om d

a
000 . .
s a ar e - o r·

e
e

IC
n a 10 IC
ci . Bu o o is n - e are o narro
olo eco ik
ar s hi pr ith · li its
1o re e is s H I an a rc i ec u r I r ho
r cre · 1n - h · ne far exceeds his abin y to con n s.
a1y e s randed on ano h ,r p ,e nel Hl
bu �n the s I yscraper 01rest . he overrf il� 1r instr I nts o-
pile . ln -y Hug the Burros 1 tlie Cfrcus G r· - n Vill - ge
h li o -or .Arthur he Gat s of HelL he Great T c1 ber l

Whi 1-lh -Whirl.

Lu a P . su f rs from t e sellf d·ef,e.ating laws th.at govern entert in 11ent:
lt e. n · r ly s.ki · · he surface of mytl1, only hint at th 1XI 1. s acc � 1 u-

ia d i the call ,e ive unconscious.

·1 · 11e s v lopme,1 t beyond Steeplechase, t- is in I e ex �ici
m i1 lio o 1 w evices to turn the provi ci lis· , o· h 1 e 1 · o
cos o,p1 .�i
l1 f li s e : · 'Th · p inc�ple of th e , a1 oius d 1
1

oli. ty has b1een utilized j 1 '1,, n1ore s

,Q n , t -11 t 1e t erpsichor an a· s . o
1

Con one com o abl recrne · o

rno ion af h
 Tl1ey al.so wind hrou · il ti e wil ,s a So r I' America, wt,ere the Tango
1

or1g�n:atecL ... Th"s ri1 is c1 fe 1 , ,n 1 1 · re for a.Ili di:gest"ve i:llls ....·-u

·
F om the mer i ion of I r�ence such as horseback rld·n -
he I rresis i · le S,ynt 1etic o - ·h - 1 sion o previous y
separate catego 1es. h T 1n o e hnic I emc nci!pa ion -
a ach·ne per ormin cult\r e - ca ío ai e perie ce-
journey hrou · - ed ica I be e i _
h li e n is co a i . in a e round o
Da evolu i n.
• .
Q:6 e son, 1 e ho Bab on's
n s _a
o ee ca ro-
a o 5 r
an 1e e ec-
an e 1 a
as na
s e- e sa es
en e n e
-
case ra1n
!!'li

. _'OF
you. ps a" e ' by L P s a ges ure ha'1 an ic1pa
e d1lemmas o . odern1sm s_ . all 17i acili ies in a singl -
g1as shed no un�ike 1 1 - jses i as • h la, g, s
f' .proo1 Amusemen uil, tiU1 arian iconography
of the g ass box clash, s w11 h n, �nside.
The sing1le roof dr s ic lly 1 • o. or un:it'1 1es for incUv1dua.l facili­
- ies to d ispl ay their own eh s; ow lia, they do r1at have to
d velop the�r owri sk1ns l h y · lui · o I h r like ma11y morluscs in one
giga nt ic sf1ell i n wh ich t h u bi ic is lost
1 0utside, the na k .cl f cad es rep ss .I� sig11s of pleasure· only one of the
mechanical horses jumps t rO'I 1 t i id menibrane of this early
curtain wail ta esc pe h un f e or .

l AP
fte 1
WO yea s o t _ ggering ,e s ,o,mpson ina ty zeroes �n on
t, is real ,arge : n
The isola on o · un P- . kes it I ideal archrt ctura
· round bu also 1n 1 esul s of' 1 y t s ro - direc
con, fOn at ion
 n. ilham

44
ln 90.4 Thompson buys p· 1
h tt n , , lock on Síxt 1 Ave.nue
between 43rd and 44 lh s � · e ... n pp I y h is m u J t � p I e ta J e n ts
I

to a more cri icail' tes of h

DESK
s T · om so ·· pians ,. o a1 �a h · co 1ne e
o is lu a e1 o l_s pio s he par o e1d
!'
all a an s brand- e
· la · . n · ild i I i. o _ 10 · ce a as e
· . - l eh.
real- s a

·ase acc1 e
essu o a h st n
una · his · o ma, 1 1n ma ·ic andar h1t ct1 ra co -e -
e ce
Dreamlan � - ere he 11·ece ín bre t o . hs re elev,a ed to an
·deolo icall p an by pro ·.1

Reynolds r _aliz ·s ha o s ccee m s t ran sce n I s e rn _ o

mised origins and I
ecom pos p r ._ .h e fi rs· ·, i e i n h
Hí:s'.oryofCaneylllslan 1A1 s m1en n e for has. been made to pro
v� 'e a plllace of Amuseme . p , Is 1 0 all classes.� 1
!Reynolds lif' s 1n11an of Dream.l n 's co npo ents ro m the typol'ogy of
1

plleasure esta� II ish d by i s r · . cess rs b 1t a rranges therr1 i n a single

1

progran1.matic compos�tio1 in wh�ch he ,resence of each attr·action is

indispensable to the imp .ct o'f t others.
Dreamland is locate on h . e . 11 s the shapeless pond or would-
b.e lagoon t�1at is he cen r o Lu rean1land is planned around an
actu ai in let of t he A lantic., v ír· f he Ocean ic with its w,ell ..
est : d catalyt1c
, poten I J o i .. s Where Luna Lnslsts on its
otherworll1dUn ss y e i in s 1I�. n location Dre.amlan
re·nes on a ore sul 11 m� 1 .o e
es a e unde n a h g1g n .. 1 s nd er f u lll sai] so tha
me ap o i,cally 'he un erw te a lan is
1

ound before i
is -s only e nol e s o e

,5
 li, , .., 01111 ate. 1 a fl as'h-forward to the o r I ai ici . o f
o ses to 1identify his terra11 n y 1e 101.
h hness o· 1 he _wo o, hie pa ks th
ain ed no · h�te ? hu launde i g v jt
O g1 · ap, e pro ess LI
.
1
.
1 ..

uif f he s n CIO
nd
e
o -

r
e

nse - ean la
a y in he e a
s n 1 Dreamlan =· ha ollo s i
01 h · s -vai ab e evid nce.

li r 1 11 ... n ' s I e e r ·e
p roj ect i n g h a � f a · 11 · n o t ' ,s
i , 1 wi1 h bro. , , wa�ks for 60 0001 peo, 1 . An e r
ve M . ns very hour� so hat Dre
a -tery 1 � n e b d
wi ho s 1 ng foo on Coney.

2. T fin I m nifestation of the Shoot-the-Chut ·...,: � st eve

bui11' . �. Two bo ts wil'I desc nd s1de by side and . mov1111, s ai e s will
· ,ke ... 7,0001 peo le an t1ou r to the top.... 5
1
�

or · h ir- t ti11e on the main axis of pa �< CI u s

1
mland s underwater m·etapho : ,it 0 • g. ·n ,
desce, in1 o a world below - e wo 1 .

• .
d 1i , lle IV 11 ier 'h larges _,,all h ol
1

IIJ
1.

2 1Q -

)� a s ce o o mio ha·_ li li a
b 1 oom danei eco e an1n 1 •
 l

9. CJr� s
10. Cre ion
11. F g�, Ov tv1anhai: irl'
12. Cana1s o '/e· 1ce
13. , as jng 1 ough s
1 1

14, F · h in h í ames
S. - es Teaho s
s l(J • _,
6 ea Fro
7 e e n To

7
 r· ! ic 11 _ _ d ece ptive pose:
1h I s tutii ,in hza ·ion o 111Jsbehavior.
ln the tech,nologic I fre zy o he tim1e., the· natural movement of the
human body appeairs low ai d c1lum sy. _olller skates are introduced in o
1

the de�iicate fórmail t xtures a the Uroom Their speed and curvi
��near rajector·es s ratn origr I con .. ntions beyo d t e brea, !ng
point atomize he d· e, rs . n, .1 e . �1 · , r sh a1 1d random 1rhythms
o coup ing and uncou lin be · 1,exes.
acing its o, abs, 1 1 U · h his pande - 0 iu . oblri ious
_ e D emen s o· · de e den are i ectural
sa eUi e a no el o a mo o · o e led pi.a o 1

[ ha ] is un o , o · o a ,. ] ,·ng- s o i
L a ·, - e e his
e -a b1n,ge on o seit-
· el ed · ec o ,e mo e­ a y oca n . 1

e s.

D e a i a lal o a o.-.
or ea la T ee hund ed
o dbe· se ·• on in n ra _ .10 a
_ntal co u I y ere a
bi o - ld -
Si ce e scale of
1
1 e real o 1d. -he
cost o . b i ldi- g h is e d o 1 as
h ore 1ca Uy q a - -
tered, SO ha ext a a an a C I! ec'u·al e'fercts can, e est d G eapy.. 1e

Thie i1dge1 s of O ea1· a d have hei· O'·_ · parlia · ent their own be.ach
compile e w�th midgiet i e: , ,fa mini· tu e Mri· get C�ty Fir e
rd n 1

Departm 1 ent rrespond i1 -g [1 v� y hou o f .1s e alanm'' - effec· ·ive 1

rem1ir1der of man ·s exist 'ia� fu, llity.

But the true spectac�e of M id. e - City is soci,al experimentation.
Wi1 hin the w.allls of th- 1 1 idg ·. pr 1- · he 11.aws of conve·ntional morality
are system.atically ignor - , f e · v r is 1ed to attract vis�tors.
Promiscuity, hoimosexuality, yn1 •hom,ania and sa on are· encourag,ed
and f!aunted: marri ges coll ps lmost s saon as . hey are ceie�
brate·d; 80 percen of n-·wborn are illeg1 �mate. To increase
the: frisson induced by t- i.s or, a, i dl _1 _ - rchy the midgets are show�
ere,,d with aristacra i i· -s hi · h�ig·hi 11·n he gap betw,een imp�ied
and ac ua� behavior
1 idget City represen · Reynol1 s i 1 i 1. - iona iza1t·0in o1 misbehavilor. a
con · nuing vi a· ious p ri· nc o o ·e y p eparing o shed th·e
re nants of ictori · nis - �

9
 Fali t omp
'
1-
. w ns wh1cl1 have

o
5� Th . t=; li p I l'S h p no

o Ror co • a ous 1 ba les

,a the G 1 a C!as d CO' d
wi I a fres,co · · orn1ant vo�c ma) he et up :ia,, liz
•
1
wi th scen ic n mechanical e i n1 nt cou1 1 a most ex r o· i-
n ry electric · li lay ... new n1v s wl11ch h, v j 1s. bee·n pu I a
e ical ·f
Eac n1gh · ·e reis. d 1n reamli n s d's ·e a r ed .-
a a r

6. S a s - n
a ra

� h lncu o ilding: he e o t -e p em 1 b ib:es. o

.Greater N: w Yo k rea are coll , t d and nurs �·d · 1 th i n incu o
'
a benevol 111
11 n
variat·on o rfn1kens in ra ,icalism o an
n de:at1 • he er
'
n erpr h Is o,pen1 y 1
IS u o li I

o u1l d·sguise a Ger, an fi se on 1

:c
o
-ol 1
1

e 1 , a e e a
o i nl s oz
incuba or g · -d e 1

e s o nc
As a scien ·t 1c · 'h n Jrtu r o fe - 1, ·n ar,t�le I i
1 monstra tion 01 , ít
is.,. a pract1c I ec ucational li . -s ving station ....' l l

M rtin Ar h w
1 · o �ney�. tl:le fr �s ;, ,i trici an rn · tnes to es1 li .
lh1 íncu ba tor � ·ere in t · 890s ., bu r ·ec ·s aibor · ed
ed, 'e � e a hj
.
1s an es

e· ,n I0n
ly in �he ,, ind loi the on ·1f
o proper con ion : a limí less
technol,ogy and, especiany in Con y lsll · 1
's middle zone-pren�11ature
Manha tan -ideolog1c I yn1 1t y I

Coune s 1ns. alllla, ia lve th 11 rr si � S n hetic a ne · dimensi10in 1 n

· hích i di1r cU af ec s b �ngs.
111n the . r em· s
e. ebra e 1 ai D ,o· o e
nold

8 9 1.

e e

o r pa
1 a I a
o orld - acco · i · o
- Drea o Dan e. 11 o 1 · O , - e para e Be .. · 1 n
and nd ..
9. s ea u in h gg ga ion o e ca e a 1i al
f 1n .
The · h l'ee spectacles un old simu� a ent indepen 1enc
bu thei sta,ges a , n c1 ,e I y 1 nde1 , 1 ound , assages so t I at
t�1,e casts. hum n 111 i1 li, , li fr, -ely be' _ een them .. A n exi
iram one performance llows e r . nc . econds la· ·er in ano; h1er,
and so on.
The three heaters
I
lly p ,rat · on the surface - form�
h rou gh I nvísirble con ne tio11s O'I · his rionic e� uster, prototype of a
muHiple pi ay wi -h a si ngle, e s ·. h su terr- nea n tra ffic introd uces a
new model1 o theatrical e I on 1y wher" n infirTit� 11un1ber of simul-
. aneous performa, ces e b giv l_-y a singl rotating cast, each play
1

both [sola ed from and ln1 er win hi o hers.

Reynolds� trrple arena i1 s thu p o o f iife rn tie Me ro. ai is.
·hose �nhab; an, - r · le e s 1 e f · ín1g an in i1nite nu · be of
·lays.

s·mula d1gh a oe h s aIr lane has e· - r

53
Vent

an Is
 12 .. The Cana�s of V en�c 1 1 of Vet1�ce inside a re-duced
version of the Duc I P,. 1 il 1ng iir, Dreamland. lr1sid i 1s
n�gh . ,, 'With tlle s f 1 1 e' of · Wa1 er Streets ...
ccomplHshed by a inewi 1
_ •• �nv d v,1c -.'
�R I gondolas carr 1
nd Can,al reproduced
i h a· - fui rega d p- lac is an a chi ec ural
co ression cha lld1 gs are I ere -,e-
uced . � o 5 000 s o n d 1n ecedíng plan
o oh sid e n
01 . .
-1 ice 1s s 1n- of · o e o
.
rn h . ar o s occ - a o

s
iroipor ai
·
. o · ai

e 1 u an od- h
· a p a 1n a 1nc n

- chi n d b
co ect. ,la s in Man , ... 1 is t e fi r
SD . · o
� S e erers ·n u I ir e h . ir steps , o 01ream�and s.
conifi· es T and �n r ' ,e co li 1ce�t1pped mounta�ns
Switzer1and. ,, ,Qn th · 1C ' h r ise ermetic box ís a ptctur _
o snowy peak [thatJ induc u r to come' as the visitar
mounts �·a littie Red SI i h.
1 1

Like Manhattan thls Swit 1 cl is . coimpouncl O' anx1iety and exhilara

tion. 'The f i rst featu re to
1
hs eye is a se ne farr1iliar to an who have,
visited the Alps.... Roped cli 1 in their d ngerous ascent to the
mountain have, met .. wi 1 1 P'I i g of gu�de� rape and the cll rn bers
seem to be falling l1roug Bu s th li tle Red. Sleigh passes
t.hrough a valley ·tee_ i1 witl Uf. ' · h i I
ac of 1-he opening drama
�s �lost ,.n he op,e11jng vj- t - , ou _·. t. la1
1 e'
1
N10,w h,e sleigh pene - u 1 1 ,0 to ent1er Reynol1 ds
l
AJ s. no - 1 ·f ,a
1 co li 1 . � us 1ch dí fuses iced air
oughou 1 1 o
Def ly concealed pip In rn
ª' om e coo 1ng a p r hil .uc1on en ao 00

55
 a gl' t ha keeps this ar ificial 4
s.w1·t ze,r 1 d 's li d s ull
' .
,W s can be found a ong pie u
1

q WISS

11n
T � zer and R
u�a 1·ons ii. s 11 _ ld he
no gy fo e s ppo a f
. .
a -
1 s ru e ta de · ens1on o n1 1n tio
.
·1
-
o a ory of ms 1 e nol gy o n IC

1 l!ll d ho s -e s am1 n
IS D e o e
e 1 -
250

n
h I e d
e
ion: he · e a .
go s ext ns1on
n a ,a alion c 1 1ie ts ago .. ·
o agonis on he urb ,, , ag� i 1 .
,es n .rod' ces the bloc as r I i
n le ,p ro h ijr beds and sHde down h s p � s.... Tr1e ho'e
in h or gr ound is on ire and there are peopl . � · 1d 1t TI fl mes,
di cov red on thfirst floor of tlle hot 1,, e� to t e e I
opl
hrong he sqL1ar shouting and gesticula tiing· .h, - riv , the11 ngine
he wa ei ow r hos wagons r extension �a d r r ck h ba -, li n
e' 1 f íl
1
r• -
once more establishiílg the COíll70C ÍOI tw. nd
mbulance, which runs over a man in i'
li
C O' 1 i f.
. cr · up to the next story.... TI 1 the win ows
iv n f o to·y os ory 'by fire ,and sm k .
º'
1
,

h - re eh h top filoor an explos11on I h he

n.. . -
'

11
1 �

u loc
.
O 1 pe for anc .
p d1 f� es he ark sid of I r poli .a
eas ,n the po en ial r isa I ju a
as o
11 ay-e h1lara mg
ess l rom par I el trac
 .
o Ic Inc e s h
a

a se a
SI Jap.an
1 1 1ple 1s d s · om1 O 1e os Ou o 1p - o. 9.
'A cj a -sh,ap 1e 1 lb l,oon - . 160, g of oilskin o 1 ÍC l JS SUSD
rarnework 3:J fe. long. A th e·e-hor·se�power ga o�ine motor· op .r, ·
a wo. bl1 ade prop, ..ll ·.... .' 124
Earli r in 1905 S r o , Dumon ,1 rform1ed m , 1 uv IS
departm
alds is , a·Jy -g
b

.
1 ac 1 l n s r 1n
of he Jap e - pi
. imu!taneously wi I th'is d.aily v, r Cone , D I nd s ili acco 1

111odates, i n ap t cori f ncc th I ou rly simulat I i h � over Ma n h, t n.

R . líty now s 1p reinforcing the su gestio11 implicit in
ean1 land I t h 1 Fu u r,e is g I n 1n on an tasy. n t t D·rea·ml - ·. f �. ill
, he errito 1n . occ r .

16,. a a. 1

s
a
n n iy a no ,accompl s 1 su e s go e
ds on a si i, of I ack . '
11 leap to e. i'S r iy on a t chnic 1 1nvention ·h I knícs anim
cop 1 li a.ion. hey e rry a pair of b- r ils on h ir b cks t hat alllo·w th 111
o . lide over an 1,n er each o O · he e ur 1 ,e cars eh
�) . T ng rs in br e citem n 1 · -e aríly n IcI
.
isas tiz1n ha t on
ar e

e s ...
he ha collid d o er h
es sa e 11 oun . r proce in 1n he sam ron n
11. y starte i • i •

59
amo
,Qstensibly the Lea . Frog . ilw.ay ·s a o ot�tpe 'to r 1educe th e mortal11ty I 1

rate due to col1l11s�ons o r. ,,UJw, 1y·s:, bu' · ·· is apotheosii.s of the tr.adition

of bar1ely averted is,1as 1e · 1 · - ha·. 1b - n1d 1d th . m chanics of sex 1e

the 1mm� 1
e - of d
· -
1
11 s1ng1le ires ectable iex1pe ienc 1e .
1
. ,

17. Th e Beacon To er. sm li s 1

1
• 1 i. �.e ·ha s Dream a · d s most
p1

1 · po tan s . e ur ..
lt r ses 375 fee abo - a s CIO, S p_
d

s ..
e o 1s o _a� ed a
, a ificen e e ls�a11 1d.
e o r - ,e·
. s· ·- ,-
• • 1 _,

s d s ue m ss n
e eas er 1- seaboa ·
US e ar o n o - h·
par i _9 6 ... h = a te na ·ing re a d
ea as i ent·cal s Poi · - lig 2 - ·hich mi- r -.
e o _ icial ·ntranc 1 o ? his surreal · - m- e 1, 10
i h realli ly is Re no e: , h - sear hligh is t lure 1c

ships o , e urse add e e in en ory of D1reamland s disas-

ers, confuse <:r- d .1scre 1 10r outsi e D1rea · ·lland s b orders .. 1

(Twenty·�five ye·ars lat ·r 1S, 1e eveiloper ,of t e Chrysler

Buitding- willl ínsÍlst on i s �I er crown ove he obJ1ectionis. o,f his 1

,arch�tect E )

.SHORTAGE
Dream!and opens only s - v n ye rs fter S eeplechase. Ostensibly
seeking to provide unlimi ed entertajnrnent and pleasure, Tilyou
Thompson and Reynollds V · ln e alien _ ted a part of the earth's
1
1

suriace further from n,a·ur I an rchi e ure has ever suceieeded

Jn doing before� and tu rn - . 1 _ 1n o m - lc carpe that can·· 1

reproduce .exper�e ce ,and : ic , ai ost la ny sensation� sustain any

number o ritua� i1 - ic r 11anc s .h1a e· orcis e h e a1pocalypi' �e
1
10 1
1

pena� ies of he e opoli an con �on (ann 1ounced in t e Bibie and

1 J

ee.ply ingra1n e·d -1inc. 1n 1

1 1
,e1rica 11 sensibjlity)� and
sur fve the onsla.u t o o .
1 less han deca e · h st lished an rlbanism
 e new Techno logy
1 of the Faritastic: p 1 n cor p, cy
,e li 1 iso 1eex·ernal1wor·ld. l ly w
i 1program forrn and
ure s a e� he pra 0 ram Jt ,LJ

f h ,' e nologica appa "ª s o

hic h1s ps ho- eh

o Co e lslan
a all co s
e o

1 ca

· as -. chno a
h
n
. .
1 10

Drea an a e •
•

and 1gh 1n
· t e e. Smoke an - lc m 1 e n i1
or�zons
is s u ni g: r ral Ar ·encans ho h-v n v o
k . h f� rs h lgh- ise bll i ldlin . hey ev r r In

1o k t, i r i rs seu I pt u re is a n a I p ha b e a ou t L _ · . 11

REVOL TION
Now ti t ti , sses hav solved the problem of · 1 sur , ti · y r-s
ll1 lii el ewhe1'" e on the r,s�a11d with the p o 1 .. n1 o· · e M
, tw 1 1�1 camparatively sallubrious isla ·ds f t 1 1 eh nd Luna
r�-< i v 1 - eteriorat·ng community. j he e i se 1· y o
1 m ·. lo, s , nd jetsam t 1at is ílOt re _ resen ed 1

� o n. . . . E ve '"Y de f a u rt · n g ca s 1 i e r. e v e y ,e i o pi n ·
o a,i s �c�dal intent. �. con1 fio I j

1 osed o a conce
J, n l,e
in - i dles
on I umani , ...

2
d 1s 1 1ddle �orne. 1907�
u a Par ( pper
)� i:JC

mass
- 's 1d.
- - - - --

10.
 s la o
et op h an i o b e on y I h1 1 1 s e s
· 11 huddl 1 ogetr1 � wrth wreck of 11 . 1r fam1ilie to wa�t for th
end " . � sr ari rig ou ovet- h, j rnpassíve cean he soun . of w v s
e s
t s s
1 s· le he o oi
d in Con · s poHc,e collec
th corps
how ou r io o th eh ar 1s n ,e
e
o h · iU e n
o o i1 e 1I or er I of 11iddl o
T gay b �e lefiel ' of the R. 1 ity SI 1ortage� he . n tert H rnent g nerate
rn ,teepl 1ase Lu oath1n Machi go1n
h h otio 1 n
ss s
ore in s e efor on ar e
nno 1 ,ce the i 1n nt u ·. rpat on ,f a Ci'VI li at�on · h t ha
1 • 1ken
ousands of years t Inatu r .
h are h sym so·r
T as
pr
s1 1es 1 1rec po cces he
T IISSU s tact�cs �d proposed sol a íl"l'ICI' p,a t e - 111 nak
'
1
lürlS 1
forn1
the ·ortured �su ri .rstand s be
'
offi,ci --d and p lar cu� Li e
e n a· an a 1 a e
. .

e s
s ca e r o ra · ob n:
91 aten 1 l'I su b1i1 1

IS CI i ized f · e1ng, e,ap a real.

s s
1 v·s1 1s 1asco. speciall n, ws , .,, s o g ize a
1111- ss prot t i11 fr nt of th imes Squa.re Ho· · 1 where orky1 1 �1
11
Bitte
O , ' is s , yi ng. Ta · i er hi up r� n sta t1e lS
ln h ess or · he a ,e la s o
a
IC a na o o abs

67
o s r 1· h 1· es o o a , ap h· ily co s. uc e oyh us o he
-,mus n1en o· children.
.
w e bui� u1,gs, d�v, rse no one w� ·h even 1he
'
onstro1 11 1-

.
su g au y. e a e bui o o 1 s ared er h
e h e ce o o
·�sea S 1 1

',Everything is s rippe · nake by th

1
ispassionate ,glare. T e glar is
ver h. re and no hado .. . .. The is1 o -tunn,- · · his
, on IS e
r · 1n co s a pa icl in
Gorky s disgu - repr se,nts t e m.od , n in· ell tL ais d Hem, , . � con f onte
with ti e ma es w�10,m h,e , , ires ti eoret�cally, 1n he fie I he suffers
ro ac ;- 1s as . e anno
ai r <IS

mass ab io s.
HThe op�e- udd1ed togeth, �r in thi City ctu ally num ber I u ndreds of
thoL s nds They sw , n in· o h,e ca s �íke I lack li s. Chi�, ren walk
·llen ou daz 11 d e o a1 oun
a h s· f . i
n1 hrc 1 1 th is a_ fo be ut .,,
inspires a p ined sens of i y... .,
j The re rac. d by

as a1n loo ·n a n· - · oil O .e ,1 ,

grt ,(ng woo . The .nnui w' ich issues 1r r under · he, pre sure o seU­
d isg t, se 111s to tu rn i nto ,..� siow ci cl e o agony lt drags tens of
·1ds o eopl int · . dan n s · ps h. m in1 o il -
.s a I e

INDICTME. T
Go -ky s �nd1i tn1ent of Fan astlc Tech ology nd o ie ·mid l,e zo1 1 's
.
ag ,n, · 1 a e se a ll edi e a d
,au os a o
preJu 1c an con er p h .1 eeds , e ho .1 zon ·., ho . ias� This
fund- n1ental mísjl udg nent a, d a subseque11 series of s1n1ilar n11s-
readi1 gs gu antee he - ·1a u1 est U· hm 1 n s e .· - disqL
r en
e�
man�pu,a mirsse isp I ing h, eve ín 'th m�ddl, z·one
1. 1·-

com . red t, t he�r own un re I well· p · serv, d A.rcc _ia tlley �ook

8
1i , ns rn Con Is a
b hiind e f e de and therefore s e no l1i
j

S d 01 an lys.1:s their solution I doo e 1r

1
li , , e is!and 1s I o b,e I ned in ·o k.
�n s andard I e1medy aga· st t
u s s - exo -cism of h d mo s 1 r nli
cry o r -o e s o roo rQU
as if i - r a 0150 u
h r 1 s
1
a ural s a 1n ..

n f hes n a n
sua e
u o ha e' he m pie r . nd p
n on i n tu rned I n o a r . .
T · hich hrs proposit·on n
1p 1 ho does o k ow an hin h
w V m,e to ea that o r munic1pa� au1th10 i i
o rone o l nd an ear to the clarnor o·f i1g o
1 n
succ I es blishing thís park on a site wh re na I i1 l1i r h 1n
CL r ... , 1t bu 17 wi I i gro\N ....
'jTl1 iil "'�sses I ov Coney !si and as i t is a nd a l'll ou g� t I y wi11 prol -�b1y
b, _ r wi , b r signation any attempt to transferi · i �, to regia o-f
· d , a ches nf scorched �keep ft I ss' w r r ti ey1

will e tainly n their backs upon �' in its _ w fo� ,m - 1 · e -k l . �11'

· tw
1actiivi1 ies and trie hedonisiic U' u
1 o the la r sho o _ - s b , e I Mo en A r d·

e o an, a a sm
11 hr _ at I es ar

70
B LOB
1

Oblivious ta the co t H r 11 ly rising above the conflic ·

b . ween mech ,nic � i e cjrcular sil houette o
han om s ruc u e t in e_ lse - C ney's contínu ·ni .

fe rr ·y as a bree 1n rchi ec ura� proto ypes�

Ea· 1 i 1 1906 ad p pe s ann u c1ng a
o n loor a 1n I h I grest S el S e ·· r e
rected . . . tie · n n e ho e
es· eal e - ili cos 5 O, ·. O
e ec h 1n _ s· _ e i1 00 . rce

o s

ai
1 e 1 1 o :- e - ai aa e '

s . m11na .lo -
he GI e To b s colossal .Lha si -
by es· in _ on 1 e e 1eIg o ·ts no n o
d-a e er - a so o b ·1iree i as
e Fia iron ilding e ork.

SPHERE
Tlhe sphere appea s ti ou hou W s rrieh1t. ctura� his ory gen ral y
co· 1 Ciding Wi h r · VOJUt]On r ·y 1 1 • . li , tlh,e Euro,p an Enlight .nmen
was a simu-lacrum of wo 1 ., ular coun '. rpart o he cathedral:
typicallly, it was a 11101 um nt n n i ty, hollow�
it is the- Ameríca Invento o I the Globe Tower
to exploit the Plato i1 c oii 1i1 , tríctly ragmatic steps.
For him the g!obe� ruthi-ssly su to fl-oors, is sim1p�y a source o
unlimited square foot - e. TI e 1 , · r it i. · he rno-re immense these
in erior pl anes; si ,e 11 1 n ed only a single negHgible
I' will
1

point of contact with h :I t st po sj l,e site wi [� su ppor h,

largest recliai n b�e terri 'o ·nv. stors he towe.r's
blu· ·prü1 s sho a g g- 1 ic h- s crashe onto a e nca
o he Eif e�I To e hio, h1gh the �arges
b nding in he orl r 10 , or e · ying �sitors o
· i eren Uoo .·
 F �EDE
·LO-BE
-e

x lod ed exterio .
s: 1 ayer o J1eaters�

"' con e s
1 i � 1 a l e i es.

7
SOCLES1
A total of ei,ght socJ s w·I11 su I orl ,lo e Towe�· Otherwtse the
hover]ng monument w·11 · t dir e �fre o ear h. e,xcept
er its speciaU des·gne gr , i y 1 . t ate the earth s cru
o connect the in ·e io o h sp,h 1 ·n, r·a1 of he ea
U erg o d ill o s of an -
r : a combina 1 . an ail s ati n
apo
r a

p ec a a rie e a
I a

T'T .S
T o e s 1 1 e e 5
fe ac e

Gcr n
. -
e 111 _ lle a 1n - 1

2 ee od1 o . sea 1 5�000

P- o e ... o r lar e ci cus rings
a - d fou1 1m e, s - a ast number of
species of - � l,d a n i n1 us p , .0"1 ances· Each ring
represen s a CO' t- e :: w i, . The circ s is ringed
by Hau omatic 'e,,escopes., r glasse t s ot mach�nes J a
111 i n i < tu re r a i I ro,a d . . .
300 feet above the grou, . : in t equatorial zone are concen-
trated �the Main I all, the L rges . llroo11 in the world� anda movn1g
restau rant enclosed i n gla ss � ... ' A :revolv�ng stri p 25 feet wid e carries
�tablesj krtctiens an d pa - o ro I n h uter edge of t he Tower to
gi,ve the e fect of eati g in n ir ,or _ ._ i, 1ng car' with a contj nuous 1
•

pan oram1c view o c.oney L 1 1 , tJ e 01 c , h, Countrysrde and

Greater N,ew York.'
To stímu]ate cont nuous (24 1 01 ) Gla · Tower by rts
50,000 emporary in , J o contarns a hote�
oor i h all .. rio ly , ip , , s ítes roo, s and
- 1c es.
Co ecting he a ili I s h m 1n , n e a e· e lar ex "biro
hall 1 ca d , o d sh s ·f a ··o s i

73
 ct r where spectators can see L se
' 1
O V .n1 5_
v t e 1
ound: Aer-a� Pc !lrn Gard n.
orizo a! -rrange e 1 · S CI 1 1

e� , e h I eas nce

ili a r . r ex e
as ades
1sticall , a
ol e

ess

s make he n I o

pi is not of is worl1d ne o · To· r

1 o, ícaJ stratagem,s of 11sc li

uit lin s of rresor·. - ;.the mo

s ·
w .'' - it has severed ali connecti ns wit 1 u
or i • rioir ch.L es any re erence to exte na 1 1rea 11 y.
Tl1 u 11 · h ..,oretic, 1 ran1 rfications of Friede· s qu ar . 1111 1 a e �
ill,us r, · . 1 1 · the ,a 'ica'lly:
hat -he Globe Tawer s dian1 ter 'is 500 · 1

1 1i 1"· he � t hat its ti oors a t·e space 5 f

o 1 ,uI o its total s U are footage 1

n.h 2 2'': � 1' (n-k)

o o 00 000 q ·e f e .
000 squa e
en h r o 1on�

7
Th Globe To e e r p I
u r he orl I i occ pies
000 -mes�
ln �1 : h o ·s colossal . nc h '
m s e ena e
.
ss -nce o . 1d a e ape m and xprc- man
s s po n 1 r 1 o e h ea a oc -

e o

On ·a 2 e e ed
e ra- d an o e . lí r s an.
ºªº -�-- ears a ·1 as he
h · n the co e s o a
h 0
1
i e o 1 1
' .1rs soe e�
A· e end ot I he 1906 s
lnves ors becom e 1 n ious. A I sliane ceren1ony n1arks the
b ginning of Llle 1901 7 ,eason, 1 i comp:1,eted arid a few j

steel girders ... rais-ed on 11 p · liml -· -y work an the iow 1.'

By 1908 i· t is clea I l1at he , os 111 ries iv archUectu ral project ever
conceived is a frau ..
Tilyou
1 is stuck with the abor ·ve su ppor ts ... , now obstru ct the expansion
of Steeplechase. ' ,0n accou, t O'f th s 11dy f rma1 ion a Coney ... long
1

concr te spiles were sunk. to ptl 01 . _. Eígh of these sp i1 les were

grouped together and a soiid o cre , bout 3 et th1ck was plBice 1
on top to hoid them toge h r.. A O of t 1, ,e , as,es were sunk on
he p oper y. .. T�1ese e - e1 foun ss]ve an,d i· is bel1e ed
hey cai be emov o �y i li , us y narTI· �t ,1- i

F RE
he end of 1s pro - - e li
1 1 e · , a i e so 1 o 1n e ha - e e r í -c·a1

5
 r e
1

101 o ur- advoca d by t17e Hbett -1

' 1 .. 1, soul
•
1
• .
'5 W 11 j li ie o a Hving bea.utif 1 f irie.
1 a 1ubll111 ·1r icl
ho peop� 1 on1 · he slav. ry of a via e
n ligh· 1n s ste·
'
1 the ,, vns ai d aca f
D orld S10
.
-CI CUI
�
s s a k a 1

' a ind.
o u
.
10
' �
e- igh· in a u
po e more. o e
u o ne uc s a e o e n conn

, a .

' o
a 10 -b
e· disas r a e h
IC I S O 1n .
s1on ey escap oo la if a li EI p
e eloped · Iam ' Lí n
1 'Y free to ki�� each o on
lon S,u f A enuie eye1 s bloo ·. ho
n af Ir ... .' · 6 For many yea s a t - h s
re i, 1 te 1d o Coney deep in Brooklyn ven,, · ill p
r tri ks....
h re h u rs Dre Jm!and bu rns to the ground.

END
1 n t 11 n 1- an1 l.a1 id has succeeded so wel I i n • u t111g i el 1,oos
f om worid 1·hat 1Manhattan p s newspapers re us io li v
uthe� ici o h final d isaster even as t l rl ir edi -ar e i · 1es a d
St lOk t1 m h - i offic windows ..
s 1• ct it i one mo e catas rophe, stag -
I
: y y t ract
, -n ed on�y a · r a 24� ur d
- po -. or 1em Reyno� s adm1ts h u n
1y o rm a t · z. · o of i s s
o appe 1gl 1
•• u o a e o o h o di o
w ss i11°.. Are
. '
ui o h e great n1 aj ori O VISI 'O to
· opu larized.� its origi a l1 d s1 n .
onci .. es nolds� p oc n
d s .h a 1

o Pu · 11 P r

o
Jo
t

o, eas
pr n e ta1n e o e ns - n

T o Jo i- º p·er. modi ie o becom n e�

o ral el · alls con a· an e n
o dations tha defin a 11,n 1i
1
p Jay . . 1N�l11 contain the I arge . • 1 sw� pool
wo 1 : wiU a tain s !t water from tl1e A 1 ic e n wi 11 )

o n y
''A Hall and Skatlng Rinlk .. op · a co ctio1
will wim. i1 g Pool'' are planned for he nd af I i r.
' h - i rnent w, li incllu e Russian, Tu1rk,ish and S lt W t r B 11s·
11 w1II ,000 Private Bath Hauses and 500 i1v t · 1 o n w 1i h
2 O · O lock ccon1modate those who wi h L
li 001 . th locker room: an American V r
.;a 1
o of , íh e Pr�v a e - _ - t 01 e ie 1 � will
� inhabi aints a po ula1
l · n of I ou
Joy aH o mate ianze.
s co e a.
mons ou· s­ o
ra ors:--

1
CONQUEST
lhe fi ai conquest anel l'nl 1ve· i , f Coney's origínal u banism
are 1ssured �n 1938 t Mos ·s b - n:gs bea:ch
nd r .oard .ar k un : r 0 pa ment, u , · a e
1

v - cl o .e t U Mos s a· i- ·eynold ·
Cone ecomes - agaí
1
1n g o r s r · tende
ui im tely o a ha.
oss
e nsider
base a of
a a

, a
a

ar s s
nco a-e oc os
e es· of e1
en h IS · inishe u n n c·on face
arks.
o r is and to n Con com e model or

a mo n an1a an 1
G

79
rt sendor m ,.
The Double Life of Utopia:
lhe Skyscrap- r

p aI.

ºº'
na/( a
ui place an . t h b in I · ,nsigh s I o
e hin -� m • •

oda · D os oy
1
sk1 eD n10

_ e a e from you ,_ at d n ' , hu I ack 1n our ta e wh.a . ·

· 1•

do no need
Stone b 1 stone ve h U remo 1 th lh mbr , 11 1 r mlin and the Louvr
-

anid buifd the,m anew on 11 · . n of l' . Hu son,.

-· B·enjamtn de Cass . s Mirrors of' N 1\1 York

81
 'he Frontier in the Sky
l : kysc ape as born in 1n tall�m I ts W 1 n 1 ,QQ n. 1 110.
� ous n1e ting of thre . inc ni ic
· f re . atively independent U es con o

-. o er:

r
h 870s n e
i
o 1 horiz , surta es ê bove e o
reco e � h ncounted pia n o
o sp, cula · n an _, e eals _ h i �
poli ox. h grea er he d,ist.. nc ro h r
co . - n - - i h . h remai.ns of na1 ure h
Tr Ili e 1 1mate sei -fulfíirn pro s up
1 mo,r ur s1,r .ble he circums 'ances 1: reav s behi
1 t I o es �l i sh -'S e di rect re!atíonsh1p betw , ,n e, , ti' ion n . rch1 e·
u · 1 u ... �i ·.: tf1e greater t he nun1ber o·f fl oors st c'k rou cl he shaft,
1

h,, mo e pontaneous1y they congeal into a singl on, . T levator

g 1
ra · -· th ,ri s.t a sthetic based on the absenc o ,. r l ru 1, �on
• t

� 11 e . rly 1880s the el evator meets the steel ·f r, , "'"l J t s u pport

'ª
1 e n, wly i cover - d, territories withou - itsel f ki ng u p sp · e ·
T ro,. 1, 11 m u u I re1 nforcen;1ent of tl1ese wo br · k h o · 1 s a I y íven
ow multiplrled ad 1nfinilun1 to prnduc · 1 e 01· a �on f1e

1 .. Q . e, · e ,1 !,ed kyscraper.

T1 ,oR
By ebir h of he u �rd s n un e h GI1

o ha " an i n h e f o - o a ar oon
th l ªdeal r erformanc . o s.
n _ p or s 8 hon 'O llr

8
 ;

1909 1heo en: 1 e k)' V C

for -he prod uc ion o� i
v1 rgm sites on a s111 1 1n · 01 ol

83
 m
pos 11bf
r lc � corrstruc lon,
1 B , . ,"J i 11 b e ·f a r u �
don i ,, L 000 1'00 s uc u e re, lizecl';
1

no.v r1e.
·ic cl
wll� 1.
w li�
11d surtace cars, Vi"it h
s IJCI ural Ligt �S-

w ·I
y Mo s 11 ,
of the or·i·gi na� plot.
Each of these artrfic1.al I evel s i vI rg�n site r as if the o, hers
di not exisi' to establl1sh r . lm a ound ai s·ng�e coun ry
ho se and í s a tendi _n erva s coita - s. etc
o · oc�al aspiration · ro he
S IC ·on o·f I
ei rchitec ural
aria ions in
1 oo e ea a eac eleva ·o
re pr id olo . ai s ppo te.

po 82
shri s a _ ·ails
·• 1 1 • a

S, e
s a

1 s
1n e a s _ac k , · di ·
Ln t e
eac a or
e ne er ay _· o up
o apse oh r m bu h ili no a fec
he a e o k.
l , te s o rban 1ils m 1 1- i d er
1
n ie ha a par I ic1 la s 1, e
an no longer b, , redet1e nni1ned purpose.
From now on eacl1 n1etropo l11 moda·_es- ín theory at leas' 1 1 -

ar- unforese.eable and uns, .. bl ca111 bina io 1 of sjn1 u ltaneous activities,

whích ma kes archi· ec u re I ss n act of f sight t ha n before and
plann ing an act of on ly I fim ited -__ · _ ic io, 1.
lt has become impossrble o ·'I,lo' cultur .
The fact that the 1909 'pirojr , 'i is u 1 1 i - ·ed in t lle old Life. 1 a popular
magazi11e i and drawn _y a e r· oo I wj 1le he - rchi e·ctural rnagazines
he t1·me are still d vo __ · 1 to tux-Ar - ugg - sts that early i n the
en ury ··the peoplE i,n ,uii h ise o kyscraper miotre pro-
,un y ·ha 1 Manha­ rc re e rsts .- sub t.erran ea n
llec rve dJa ogue abou e n r ro · h�ch h o icra� architect
i- cl ded�

8
 11 IS q u itab�e R�J i lcl i ng, 1 3 s
l "slr.aight up, ... íl1e 1
Oifice Bu1ldi11 Jn

r
1
r C:P 1931. ... ' ( . R Graha111

l í1 1 o ,OUO itenant ... ··

ALIBIS
The skele on of the 9Q,g t 1eorem po t I t s t · Manhat,an Skyscraper
as a utopiar1 fo 1 or h 1nlimii1t I cr · 1 i1 n
1 1
virg·ín sites on a single
urban locat 1 ton.
· ,ince ach of hes it � í o i n icul I pro ra ma 1c
estin - beyond · he r con oll- h · se i:: per 1s e 1ns· u-
n o a ne o·r p ys1cal
·
so l , he S ysc ape s es �ilbirz : pro ises
ai am a e 1n -

a ers'"

snes

a , IS

. - es · a de an
O ri •e S ace 1n t o ds: · anha an
as no choice bu · sei ,. onl I e
S" scrap of s bus·n s o a man- ade
es a ·ron tier in the s �

e. ·· ourLAGE
1, I
J

To su pport the all�b i1 o ,. l usi , • th i i, · 1 l r d1itiion of Fantastíc

1

Technology is disguis.ed as pr gm l1 ·ogy. Th • paraphernalia of

illusion that have just subv d G
1
nat re �n. o a.n art�ficial
paradise - electricity� ai �co · i 1ion í I gr phs, tracks a nd
e le,vators - rea pp ar in M n 1 .. ttan s p . r 11 rn _ 1 ia of efficiency to
convert raw space into office sui1 .- s. Su I r· ssing their irr.ational potent�al,
they now b,ecom,e mere1ly · hs ag, nts o _ . · - ai chang s such as improving
·11umination levels. ten111pera· u e, 1 u idi y, · om, u icat1ons, etc. all 1

to faciHtate the processe .. o bustn _ -s ut :-s a spec ra I alte-rnative. the

diversity of the 84 pi .t orm1s O g,Q · · S . 5 r per holdis OU. the 1

promise that all thi s busin s 1 on, ,, 1 h

1
pro,viision I occ. patior
'ha n ic�pates the Sk ser p1 ('s co 1 ot , o n1s of cuttu re.
oo by door I ne,c ess- r ·1
t. rritoríes of h f ron _ ie
in h s y co d lbe s 1 1 1bl S · n h 1 íc - o establish
a na �v reall 1es o a

8,7
 u s1n ss.
it , Los .
u' y conn o the He�I of the P-ract1ic L"
1 men o 'h e Skyscraper in (s p , m, ti e mou I g,
1 1

e n r. ai esta e a chi e s no lon

s he br ai s ar on
h s d assem 1- �
of ,eh
n- o·

ona o h
o IS S�
o e so Ci H 1n 1 li I pi h
1

h i e · y e .- ude � s i rr g u 1
1 he
o e v- ore rbi ra � This p IS
erfection of he in e ior: -rh
30 .,- 50 fee ,_ ·de and 40 fe, ' h1
ir . 1 ngth o the Build ing, a f 1U b�oc . �.'
Thit ou ,r vol:u I a�ane life �nside the Skys.c ape I ts 1nvo�v , h .st;1e
hir wit l'ife· ou side: the l,obby comp tes wi· 1 1

pr s · ln linear d1 p1ay of he building s pr tens101 s · s,

t ark · . y l I ose fr quent pai nts of ascent th el evator - - th l wUI
. r ns ort , 17e visi· Ot" even f U rther ínto t he bU i�d i1ng's S I bj ctivity.
• 1 , 91 ·11 Equitab�e BuHding repeats its b!ock 39 tim s, jai - h,- up,'
-.

s i. 1 o s r . 1 s lobby is a sybaritjc arcade lin d w�tl soei, 1 cin ies

I

suei sho s, ·e. The surrounding st e ls r d . r . d.

Th · 1 h r t e Sl<ysc per goes� the _a· der i 1
o·.. o, p i s
1 t vo lut ian 1ry am �Uon: when the q I a1 �,� i e ·
1 • 1 i' s
1n v I i , bund1er.s. � or a while o r L 20 1 ,, 10., O s of
ai mos like a ne cont· s s
'"

Mo h i s loors. he Equ1 able 1 o ·o

i I el h . s1 · 16 000 souls."-:
That is a prophetic cl. ir I LI leas s orie of Ma n hattanism 's n1ost
insisten·t hemes: fro .w o e eh vi; buOdin of the mutant kind
str'ves to be ·< ,e� .y wi hin ,1 y. n, mbif on makes he
LI - . l
tropo�is a coUec ·on o chi e r I c11 -s _ s, an po entía �y a,
ar h each other.

- 10 El
.
y 19 o pro e on has eco e n xora 1
The Ir afl oe e a ra o- 01n

o b
n er 1

· a .a n1

iO •

sr . ·n
(and
d e o
out is ra ola 10 o
. .
a a _ a s I re ess1 n ms is no accid nt at
he eam lacks a chi ec1 s.
S arre es 1n m opo r
oo beli n1f · s O civiliza ·on
is p ogressing won· 1 r u 1 . L IN -1 th,at I mean Manha an
s�and- e rmust · . e 1 lbuiid1ing I u1 1 l1 up jard. Step by step
w have ,advanc ,d fro,m th iriy story S·kyscraper....
Now we must deveio so�, d1f er , something larger... :
As the coílceptual str osphe 00 h fico is approached, the
progra111matic settlement o I o ms ccording to the 1909 theorem
i m poses itself: fi 11 i ng h ir · rior wit ·
J us i 11 _·s.s a I one is inconceivable.
1 f the 39 f I oors ot tlhe E u ita le co s · i u
1
City in I tsel f ;· the- 100-story
1

bu.ildrng is a Metrapolis on lits own structure, towering La I a, r ot

in o · he clouds and co 1 i i wi hir, i w lls he- culturaL commercial
1

·nd industriai a.ctivi i s o a gr it . .' 1 iz �one irll explode

· v li heavenward as weH as
he te ture of nor I Ht. . �1 n N w ork
on the sur ace�.· explain . S rr fu ln the 101 0 story uildin
hall b shot up ard . i t e r I rs ar sent across
e
Th s as.ce 1s rrup ed e h

89
 ust Keep ou 1101n1? ano vi_-e me revolutio
,,
1 pwa rei,;; Theadore Stc-1 ti ry re regu lati ng
o 1lch11g L906. 11 Ou r civil ization IS
i
1 t;es Ir ern er nvenlrnnal oifi.c
pr wnnncrlullv •. , .'' 1te with fh 1 r', 1�' rresh a lf.

C. dr,Y S(llt il ;r, r... n1ed icatEld

1r (to 5ult d, n 11�rt:1 Lu re svútch,
G. H. I. 1Jerlur11es,'�

o
 artfcu�ate t he demarca io 'S we n tf . i fer,en _ unctional sectors:
ind . stry a I the botto1m, bus1 s in cond q u.arter, ,ivi ng � n the th1r
and a ho1 e,� iln the foi rt
T e 20 h f�oor ts a g, ner 1� 1 rk a c�us, er of heaters , h.
60 t a i�s o,ppjng dis r e
1
he noo a ho ei an · e 1 100 h an
a semen pa k roo rd poo.
·
, o a e h se p og a n o, sibl . h plemen s o
aphe nalí o ill sion:,
o clima " _ e shall a
ide e s an
a o
,o

sa a
o ;j .

f ·a·_ an es- s

e o cafe o e 1-

es. ha d1cal.
Th . 1 r e · is i . e - y .. ac I com ar
eq p d o pursue i s
beco e a a , .o a o '" ai
advent rie,.
ts occupan s are a o e h e 1 1 1 rs · n h resea ched ..
, 1

Sue h stru ctu res as S a1 00- · ·ory 1b u ii11 d i ng wou I d be def iin it i ve th ey
1
e

olubon­
a 1 g ,would mark the porn - w'lle,1 1- of ani, .ttan s V!itality- �the
1al o fke
sound of ,Ne'W York toss1ng i· s t adi�io1 in he aii and devouning íts
own la11dmarks' 19- would · sU 11ce . 1 he abs nce o,f that roar. the
100-story building nee. s , n ,w in ·· x o , a u e its acl1,ievement.
· what woul'd become of the · rese1 skyscrap rs?'í asks thc reporter
apprehenstvely. MSome of · m woLJl'd dou- ti ss have to be torn down, but
no doubt many of them, an th - corn r blocks, caurd be used in the
new structu res;·� reass u r s
This 1s no1 generosi y; e ,Q 10 un i1n · ed.s an archa eolog,y of
1 1

dwa fs to tie i' down o h I o e 1 11 o vince of i 1S own scale.

2. THE A . EX,ATIO ! F THIE TQ1 ER

ln 1853 he _a ting O , n ani- · s the , irs com­
pre ens1ve 1nspec 10 o on o hen1 ith _·h

9
 o t.ages:
su e 111 sed
cha e )-

92
limitc.tíon of Manh ttc n s isl ndn s -
1
1 h xcuse for all subsequent
devel,opm.en s .
• ln 187 6 he Cen 1en ,1 1 Tow , fn P1 I U
1 ,phi I is, · he second ne·,ed,l!erke
celeb an of Progress h u C 1 n �n 18,78 to rigger its
s ampe ,e o ar e e rol 1
antas ic Technol g
•Iro .9o· un b e 1 · or To ers s overin
las 1 af o rs ou ce o · r 11 d
• ln 90 • Dreamlan- s B o e o lur innocen sh1ps a . o
o laun Re nol s· n e Ii
• n 1.06 To
li .rall - a orJ
. ca a s.

B 1 ·. s
1 ..

an's arly ali UI n s r o n · a o··. ese

o s but es ind an on
a er 1e a no s . �s
in 1908 Erne· t 'L<L,ie;.l""í, s o n pia e s i on op 0 h · s e is i n · 1

Sing r BuHding a 4-s, o y b1loc in 18,991• h's a1 cl 1·. ec u ai

a er hough .a!one ma, · i O 01 913 Am , ica s n1ost famous
bu· ding,
ª Thousands of trav e� irs oo:- · 1 lo N 1 w Y k spec1ally to se e h11s Mod . n 1

Tower of :Babel, glad�y ay'i. ,fi ·y · o id ·. o _h ·: � obs,ervat ion

balcony. r, 1 n acknowle · g 11 n1 · · k side o Metropolis it is a lso
th , firs· 'Suicide Pi11n cl . � 'i
1
ee1 s o have a strong appe.al to
those who were sou re · o 1 � e .... � 1·� 1

The Metropolitan Life Buil � g (18 , ) is an ecrly Htan bllock" -teri times
its site - on Madison Squ n rei A . r 9·02 it is, outflanked by the 22.-stor
wedge of tl1e a iron h tTI" n , e t decides to expand upward·
in 19· 9 tlley multiply a sm ,11 djolnin , plot 39 · lmes. B,e,cause of th e
10
1

smaU site� their stru , V ic se I anile on San M,arco

ir s shaft activai e· 1 1 r b I si, ss ured! all over to admit day
rg t A the to, the · p form or rn arnnexa � on by instai�lin
·
a searchligh · and o 1 li e ly f om he · g t u· e
a che ype. , rub r s uc re r . su pose
h ou - rea I a n e s · oco un1ca' ·1me a ea e

3
e nditians a i1 ginary Im1 ari ners on the Atlantic.
·h t. s, -roce,ss of sheer mu Upl'ica lon s · gs
m ula1te I
over tlhe previous 501 y ..
To . r. la dlocke,ct rghthouse o te1 s·bly fl s:J in . i1 1

-� but in fact luring the metropolit rn · ie ice, to 1' el.

oc.·
Sho ssoc1a 10n - ... - hose ros · s h nucleus h 1r
r -o n · · o S are Garde o loc e s
b e - n 26 h and 27 h s
-a o · a n tn 7 J h
- . T e in mor
.n e s
. 500-s a

r CI CU

' o
d ·, a1rs a r e, 1 ·

s si e o spec·a1 i te es _ by co e 1n cop o
n he roo of e all.
s romo ers he i also e o _ 1n
1e bu din , i · finrs d 1n · 1 m of
u a I d esign � 1

o _,n ure he fl · anc.i.a ll vijabílity o , e los , �

1

si I ful p rf · anices ,allone; � s size is ijncum 1 ibl. wl - 1

1

w_ o in i 1 is in ended o be. Tt1e Buildi g w s a 1

ci I lle 10n
ro m ' 1 .- y o I n e d."
11
1

To · ve t i .. et'" White 1s forced

1 ta expedrmen , to inv n · . - d ,est .ns
• si u tioiT ' wi I a wid e popular appeal wi hin th-: i1 t .rlor, cr .g .
1

j
li 1 .893 li se s up a gigan ic panorarna of the CI ic go Ex osi io11, to
s v N w Yo 1 k rs the l,ong tri p West. ..." Later he t rn - - h e , ln o
r pl1ic s o· Glob) 'Theatr old Nuremberg, Dick I s L ,n on nd the
J

l
ci y o: V ic · ·f e visitors loating . .. . rom ex ll i bit to ex hHolt in · n ai s.uu
W 1i e i cc u · in the crossf�re of the battle biehve·en ·r n I w
h �r ·. dy fr red up a Con·ey: hii
1 -p e · cl1 1
s.
"h k p :h Social Regis er . . y bll t ,y r ·, íll no
�
li ,nse tt ac the mass s. 1

ln he e . ,

e ,n a real gondol�a a d or-a ni-n 1

. - - h
g n ro li 1l1 on rs echa cal ac res hi s il ·-
is a man of taste who ou 1 , o h v · � s :. l le has no time o resolve i·:
in 190,6 a m.adma.n �100 s 1i1 · 1 o I o · O'i :� is own project.

TONGUE
n 1905 Thom1pson ,. bor d L buy · lock e, s of s· · h Ave nu
be een � 3rd and - h tr ti . 1Cone s Tech o]og ..
o the Fan as1 1c ill b
n o e year. homp - er o seati g
5,200 o ped r h - an heon
·o elec ric o r Si
sa

e re o 1 ai o
u o

,. -
ar 1 · ,r
a · - 1 1ous a emp o a spacec
s rand e· cu o e o e h if u
b a essenger 1 1 ing. . . . O ce o a s
t h ar ians a.· s . 1 rmanen ly and o : eco
in h bitants of hat · r· _ · Tho - pso s p�o hich
J
1 ea e s t 1h 1 . v ij si o s t 1 , s l 1 1 1 oon, d on another p ane .

lhe cH,ma of the i cus· M U nc 11s an elloquent abstrac

clloreography: 164 'divirig gi 1 d staircase irn squ,ads of eight.
'�as if they are one: Tl1e to11,, ue b · li ke, 7 fe, t dieep. l1e
girls �'walk down into the w t r until ti i h . ds are out of sight/· never
to retu rn to t �1e su rface. (An i v l . erw ter receptacle t hat con-
tai ns ai r is connected by corrido, ackstage a rea .)
lt is a spectac�e of such i f · I
n h êl' � ,m1en si t in the tront row,
1

night after night weeping ilen lly... , r1.

CONTROL
1 , · he trad � ion econ . m111 1 re en r 1 , is , con troil �s exercisedl only a
the scale of the �nd1vi on S,quare Garde and
lho pso rs ippo ro e e o u e t ol co·nci es ore an
re en ·ir bloc
Th lock itsel is q I pe � 1h hno 1cal paraphernalia ha
 · ars'' - e ire
n e ane

6
 ·
a ,e d r 1 1 · s d ru e
n p1 1 id.o·g n 'O mt ali eoh·
: lo ks he · o k ecom,i s a ·par·· in he di 10 · o Con y ls1ian 1
it o, rs an ag ressive a I er11at1v , re lity, int,e1T on d iscred ili ng an
pi ci g an 1
118 uiraP� re li y.
rea o , h , � in e ·o p se er e e ,d the s1ze o I bloc :
es

1 - an an f s blo a e i n ical an mpha· jc I q i ai n 1n

h u sta! e I i 1 ]llosophy of 'he 'G ·d mu 10 i- a sing1 1 _ one af e s
aU others as a I tent pa i i I ity� 1· h o eticaJ ly� c�1 block e n I10w u rn
i o · I . i1 1ed en 1 ve of h I rres�s. � le, Syntheti1c
lso 1m · an ess .. 1 10 on r o s
oe e s
eac e s n lnne li e
isla undaJ ai y o, 1

Manhattan u 11s, into ,,.,

d y archip I o of blocks.

EZE- RA
e , · · 1 e ol 10 h
: t , . '.
·1a iro ·h il h hou · o he n nd he i r nd of n
Gard n .
. i me th · · ostcard 1is prod · J e d - with its m .1 I tiple van rsl1 i ng poi1 l.s it
115 no ·mple, ho ograph I he Squ r ··· · as t�, e e_ n ·, e .� o· M1 tropol 1 1 Life
. eh a e o as n e seen u as· ion CI _ b o in e
s ·. alJ 1 e sa
o e a· , re 1 h
he a, ld . . · 1ng ad1son Square o 1 he
FI i on ju nct1on 1
he scen · was Pcrri i I i n its k I idoscopic e spect. ... '
1 i

As M nhattan's soc�a� e n er. this gl,e of in l r ections js the the t r

wt,, busi is be-n e _ lsed nd r p aced I y riche'r · or s o e, i ity.
1 e a cou
a
. -
so a pi r a I p. . on LS
1eac en 11 en 1 es has o fu ure�
Th 1 1 atiron�s ,1 n ere fll uj U pi icat ion Ia ks n1ean ing: th e M ,., t "Opol j· a11 · L1fe
Buildi g has m I ing, b he con r , i1c ion b. w ·en
it p te I s e of i ion d he r 10 on ju one o ny
.. n e loc · - s a
 ca

G1lbe
o he

8
Sq ,are Garde,n cannot mi k , o, g o y o justify the ex· ravagance of
�- s metap,horsE
Bu· when the three 1r
the To .er len s h, mu iplicat1on p y
o- he e apho s n r _h conq es of e b·loc
assures he To er iso 1 -- 1 1p _ n o íts islan,d.
1e _e S sera e o h·s · ripJe , s on.

e ED·R L
- .
T 1rs buil a 1 o 1
g- o 1
ee 1 9
a a e o a e
e '
s o
'G o r
r
-
e iC ses o
o

a I E
e a1ssanc - der· ad - 1n s ra e
opera s- s ols.
-
- 1 -
10 1

1 - s in erior 1
.
he seen t ni o 1n
the Juc1d a1r o a su - -- 11 ·e o
p:arad1se , 1ich - i. Joh1 , h ,gs · oo deep even or
, a s .. � � T h w � ·
i oo 1 , u o n 1� o cie cri1ed out The Ca lhe ,i1r
of Com 1 merce�' J

The Woolworth does no actual 1 ly co - ut ny ,. adical modif[catlons

or breaks to the lif' o c1ity I U' i h
supposed to work miracles
through the emanat�on of � pi ys1c 1 , _ e nce; a �arger mass than ver
constructed before,, it is t he, s 1me ·im - e ,n as disembod,ied, anti-
,gravitat ionall: B ru e rnate i 1 1 s .J b d of 1 its density and fl u ng
into the sky to eh li_ iits lav li s .... '
The bu ild ing is actívateellec r n i a 11 _ i n April 1913. ·when Presiden
1

W'il on pressed a u1y b , n in W i - Ho1 s.- and 80 000 brilliant l11ghts

�nstan 1y flashed thr - h, o l'w . �.
hrough 1ts sh e ,1 has a double occupancy
on · concrete - lo I a 1C� y'- he seco, d
in angib�e- � a sp I o gh n , ns o cha g ano
.
bar er. binds li - - . n1 n1 p -ce e nd reduoes - e haz rds
of ar and blood hed .....
AUTO 0NIU , ENT
1

Beyo a e. ain cri ic ·I mass eac 1 s .r com s a on

at I as raises ha e p cta ion 1ro en if
e · a·. r I acti 1e 1 · ·s d es o

r y a
.h
s n 1. a 1
le art·cula -on rarch a
mere rough shee ol m , void being as �-
an emp y on . . V' Jl ble for mea �íng · _ 1 íll
1 is a solilps1 ,m cel ' ti ng onry the fact Hsproportronate xj nce
the shamelessn ss ar ílts own process · f cr · tion.
This rnonument of ·h · 20th century 1s h utornonument, .and íts u s
manifestati ·n i .· 1 e Skyscraper:
To m.ake tll1 A 1 • o 10 u1 · ent S�1yscraper í a series of su s1d
Iary ac' �cs 1lS d
i is co s an J .sd: ,a,o e1n,,a o u a con,.
sugges s and s h
o acca 1 1 .
. -
IC IS ,.

01
.
ui di o' h 1n o a, da rio
•
es r e 1 e h re has b · n is · e ass mp i n h
is desirabl o a mo 1 ela ionshi . ,-e
lhe e. e io mal e· ce mn revela,·ons bo h · in erior ha
1

corroboratesi. T '"hoine . ' facade p . k ou. h,e a ·vities it co .e , 1 .

Bu mathe·matic lly, tt1 intenor volurm of , ree i , ensional obj,ec s
increases ln cub ' 1 .. ps and the conta1ning enve�ope only by squ .red
increments: I · ss n I ss surface has to I" pi . nt mare and rnore in 10
activity.
Beyond a ce a·n iti,cal n1ass th,e e�,a ions1 i .' i .·. s · r essed beyond h
1

rea "\ing po1n e, k is the symp om o Au· orno um ntali

h d "be e a con arn
area ot un - . Th I'

s
s
o a s.

1
Th. arch itectu rali q u 1v I n s I x t rio , n í nterio1r arch itectu re.
ln h"s way the Monolrlt s, ,ou s1 wo ld he agonies of the
contJ11uous changes a, ing h si - 1
1 t 1ides eve -y ay Jife.

EXPE _· , ENIT
1 n 1908 on o · h · a Ii s o - cl · Me I e ora 1 ons o h 1s e
a 1s 1 2 - 2 2n hi h b s
a11 ,d r. a s
1e SI O
e e
h

·esa ea

. ssib
.-se I ha'
er
e 1n
E . -s n ·ach si · 1

ar 11ic�al op �a 1 • os' ad anced ech ic

ans § ... -he ceir 1s ue s y i n h ich e 1c
1 g ts in k I e. h 11 e b m n o ap .1ca a, parai .s
the e ec_ of e ouds s 1
y i, - roduced... ·· An arti lcial
moon puts ".n an acc -1 , ro s1 ,g t e firm,amen· se er
Umes each ,evening Th: ·sor11 n a nd d emiaterralize,
they a l'so ,:du p�icate. tri I i 1 1 · e interior exotics • to
1
make the resort a model of . ive conom : the e�ectrified ' Ron1an
Fountaín;'' in the Atrium i 01! -qu 01 r ai, t 11 e Hbarge') one-half.
W h r e t h Ir e ar · na m í rro rs , - ro j e i , · r . · s � com p I ex i 11 u r11 i nati o n
e'f' ects and the sou 11ds o'f cor: e a 1 -d ore I estr suggest an i nfi n ity of
forbÍ!dden space beyond . he a ce s1ibl p of -he vil la.
Murray r s is to be ·� h s' ho 1 , 'O r: J/ · w s beautiful in the World
that he Romans knew ca · u,
1
er .d . p

he coUector cofie_ ted 1 s E � i1 · '

l
1 a vesi ing tl1e pas , for h ·
borrowi ,g and manip_ 1 tio of
Overlooking ·, he ga d1en i · tl1, · ve - acc,ess o t o s .pa .a
a a men s · ir 1 � 1 an d a yp e �
s nt Eg. / ib a
and G e e : an ob _ is lias opha us an ·e e ic

o
 fT _y's: errace Roorn,
b en a ILln k novaib e
_ n, r:r _ • wal Is. íghts.
r 1t on Smo 1e o Vesuvi
r · Gr co om ais
uar
h

- , ars o e 11 y
Zeni , · ot its w ai h a d
c1 •• ' 1
e o t an .po s - om one n o
T s

o
o­ se rs e·
s emerg base o o olis and
1Tu-nu ,e 1 1 '1 íg.ure 1n ent pos i ,n [ lows iridesc
u bl1 es fro111 p I e castles in A1r': ,antiqui··y is i, vested with
modern s-exu lity.
Th accum,ula ,e I lo JS custor1.1 ze, rr y conten .r .ry n1essages
e ropoli· n l 1e . e: rp -eted � • AI hou
spec h burn1n
IS S
e
n 1n
ns� h"
' ion o; s1 , ha ave n _ x1isted b,e ·o are mad -
1 O a S �f they 1 V I' t 1 1S as if h1S '0' y h · been ,giV 1 1 11 extensron 1
wl1 ich each e piso e e n be rewrltt I ar redesigne i 11 re rospect all t
mi .ta kes ,erased � i · r fect ians cor C1 d: '�The lat st v .i ut ion of t 11
r of past ag·es. l1ed to the cr _-, ia of a ve i 'a le o i,ern place of
ecr ai ion [s] o moderni Rom n Ga dl n 1

seco chance e pas a

s s a o roz n r ·· · s
d tion is i ss n SIO �i • hole popul io
( o mginal n I a
n s o he vill 1s a range·d alo
1 · ·_ alls o - nliv n
h social tran e ians 1n t'he r
1 1 d apartrnent 1

liey n1ake th u pp · en ... d ressed i I somewhat so1 · r colors � intru ers

j
_

i, he s.anctity of 1. ir empi re of h . s ses. T'he pu lic ar,e on ly gues s ,.

R in arc-ng h rnetaphor. n hips gener i,n the over-
s L ra ed do n be co · s. _dl . ps a1r : e u pe p
11 i s of
a e

s e . e.
o , ho s ,lm ,n
M n a an: r n , r e o · erjes of
lo , ed privat - v s ha a mi 'hou ,eguests.'
p
A fter p rfo ing his . · ch,i u ral ll1obotomy E f ns' ride is at o
succ- ssfu 1, su geon.
1 e ha - li ing 1 lan
a o
-s ablls men e li b g e ' a I e e onto a bu in o
. ssen. i lly pl. ín ati1d forma! e haract ,r, p!an íl d arid rected orrgi n r Ili for
a pur ose ab oluteJy for:ei 0 n o tha fo which it is today util1ized, le s
I
d in s o a chi · e .· d 1 h · a 1 edi
o o r s r IC r
tas e .ndl s 1U.
'Henry Erkins ... was constraín d to dopt r as ·he b sis for 1 �s be, u iful
rodu ion,. uildi o ·g1n Uy a e for us as a chooU ouse u
o a
ra or a
norA1f r betr ys th htes 1 , e o! ils ongu11 I purpo in c. n ay.... .'
Lobatomy sa isf es th wo i11cornpatible de- n the
os para - ·
s 5

o h _ 1 e pe 1ence
The a 11 is , - utan branc of ínte i, r design that r 1sing h
1o mos mode· n
ti chnr log�es� 1" cycl -.· and . br�ca, ,es memories .a1ii1 suppor lve
o e h- - s 1n - e
h
on 3 , S re n u ray s e. - · 3 acr s o or sp ce
devot d to Dit ing Roo1l1 H � re plan11ecl to o .. n in 1909.
1

Fl"o , h1 b gi 1 �ng 011 J e 20 h ce u a 1itectural Lobo o y e 1its

a s o · JI s s ta • s
o iln Gar n ·- ele
po 1 , tha · · pre n � ec:111 wúr�ds r ove n �mie I sp, e .
insu 1, e,d ag i nst h corrosion o f re I ity- he fant stic su pplants he
ha an.
e
ambI 1 ns e on 111 , e ai o e s I h a h pe -
densi · of priv, te m anings. By I av1ng· 1n e· the ,nusion of a tr d1 ion
urba 1 1 ndsc e outside.. '11s revo�u, íon ,ens res i t , . cc ei nce l 1. ough 1

u e �
he 1 e es
(he or . 1 s r inea i y,, 1mo cone eo og e I n vi - ·on
betw n the conf l�cti 11g cl ai n s and prornis s of each blac�.

04
CA.VE
ln 1908 a de ega ion of mi 1can usi I s I eni v11s11 An onio Gaudi �n
Barcelona and as s h1m o Ho . 1 in I anha · an. No site is
known for t e project ª t - e b 1 y 1e re 1 1n t - n i. i �ar s e eh
o ais mane on
•

1 t is íkely ha
1

Ga d. 1s a are 01

has produced" eco n1ze he

a ·ty be
a

1 1
a

IS sera
b soe a tie e r lo· rs
o ide indi i on s· h lic ife
e ho e 1s lo a e ore o es ha. d h
o dayli h
T 1s ·- e co-e o s1x supe ·mposed
1 e tau ants. T 1e firs · is, 1 co e uropean
111ythologies that 'WJU be in 01, e 01c of m nu and European
mus1ic, p]ayed by a la ge sy111p�10 ·. o e s· a. E e o·the othe
es aurants.� witt1 its own 1 . l 'I 1e ic ico ogr , hy represen s anotl1er
contínent; the stack tog t er r ep 1
I· World,
A theater and exhib't�on �,aH , ir os d over tl1e worJd ot the
restaura nts. _ e wl1ole is to . by s1 1
1
Ili bs rvation sphere
ha awaits the mornent wl t e con · s o grav�ty w�II be no lo11ger
n1etaphor but fact.

S,CHISM
Th1 · re is to be no s p ge o e _ n r oors I n a ct t h e
se il Zoid arra gem n o 1 �
ar . anning h 1i1 terior o th h h 1s become a I ono�
. . .
mo s hroug h lobo om : a sys ema 1c exp 01 a 110n
of he dei erat disc n r b Orl
denying e dep n e o on n o t e r i ai Se is

05
 1sc nec -

a ran on
 . 1 s1ng e
1

. .
h 10 n d si a 1 p C ICI

r a n.

HADOW
For ·. tíme ,� rea I H kyscrapers l lke 11 Woolworth d v rsions of th ol
y are erect I i1 u I taneously· i e la er , he � pi 0 peration of
1

�on kes n more ot opo- ,-� h the E Li b

,e ss o' r Iases r li y

eo s
e . h as om o e eu·
g s1on o r ui �1 n� ,, 1 b e 1 easi gly evi 1
th the lar
r Jec was a cancern not only of a
1 fndivid ual, bu of t e comm u r, i y,
an , hat some for· 1 o restrictiori 1· 1 l e adopted ....'

l
- crib. s lo ck nha
o es e o

r
m s
b e o, o adr i o e st e s
Ti wer 1may 1 1 e 1 • 25 p e i pl1 ot 11 1 ited 1ej ,
TI last claus .·. co · ages th . t, n ncy of single ctures to con J

v as es t po ibI e r a , i . e . a w 11 ol
! J o e k � i n o rd r o rnake the 2-
erce t that can I ow r as large ( ro jtable) as i i
1c he n1ng La s , d bir e r e a len
h s

.
le -n . r s •

cial e i1 e e a
. � -
1 1 1med· Ja ed ·n o i e e e- imen 1
1
a 111e e s of h 1 w s ,ggest a wl101 idea of oUs.
1 M nl w s in h eginning only ,a ooll ti ,n o·f · O 8
1

, b'I · of s · a ny invis,1 ble env. lo

fu ure� ti e ou lines o 1e I i M nl
, ar a L
anha , an o ai/ olll e 10

no hat o eh ?

, llls .
LI od
an ec, o og e o
o t p imo dial i1

-1

}
 · l onir1· l w � p _.. arr-
1 u, 1 e 111 � ,rn · th e.
H I l1 1 i ).
gro11p o

lH1lk or r IJujló·

p0 pJe eq ri .
adJ 1r1111 str
ma h cl 1 ·
 ck o the ca acombs, u 0
1
· e m ,o u

Th Bu1J i 1 o l y

B_ se . s 1e -
S 1d n Ja le p s nal1 1 s
o s n s
o se a S�

cr
sa as

O be d Sl-
n
1 learned i · d

' bu 1· 1 • i on e o o pe iods he
b li I ng
h
ork d en husias i a 1
ppreciate,d and applauded t - lr !1í
1
'n • 1

en on Ins pi re s F- rriss o , e m1 rc
1 f h:, P' rth
hi de gr ee he lea ve s his ho metown, S . L 11 , for
wl n 11
hirn , Ne w Yo r\;. re pr es en ts e: new A h ns, h . orily
M ,r h an. Fo
ns.
pos ible ir I, lac of new Partheno
to th e Me tro po lis . ln N ew Yo rk ... a 11 in i eno s
"One w , te l to get
. re w oul d be in th e m ak ing , wi ·h . , ln rs . nd . r ·ists
A nc , rchitecti
th er - an d rna yb e · v n wi ·h 11 o I ce
worki n · si s 1ca 1ly to ge
d ap p!a ud ln g th eir all i nc ..... ' t t I is firs JOb
w r ly . p r cia ti1 g an
ni ng t � W oo ,w o 1 - rlss
11 rt's o flc ·- 1e n de sig
_,, Th e co nt 1 · , e
1 usL s l . �n for a Iol 1

is of th e pr od ie, ion o w P r u
do1 s I ot ieo ns
f use eleme s o pas a 1
apped aro 1 · d
Ferriss fin s
o
.. . .1s o s
eslª
 1 o · r u o, ri1rL pílor al the cont ots: Hugh
1

F, 1· 1 is. I wor · m h is stud lo, r.1ppl ring _ i 1�s hmg

w

oucl t 1 ... St , Vista of th. Future hi� 1

;

� · 1 ntrr l age Iler orrn a f abJed SP-ries Vision of

I

f'/1 •1·/ · y- { 75, �.1 ,sed on Lhe resea eh ( t

/

rvhmhattan1sn \, rogressive 1 nkers sucl1 as

C d 1, l lo d Ln íerriss Purtly h1,Jden aga,nsl
..: w·111, 1111 11 ri vers of ·c ud, Clay fo
1

'
e s. ' O n s h - 1 rern nan s of t é.l rtl1enon
� rn t h ·f 1 1 N .w .,thens.

1.1
 ri on 11 e- 916 Zo111ng
p� rts ..
conven ional i n o
1 und�r th· -, urth stJge,· "A f .... r r rnov· 1
perrnissible to parts \Nh1 "' 1 Wr;;;.r louncl '
· y hl ,ck ... undesi � l::,le. h n1a. s wti1cl i1 lly
re rn a I n s. . . 11 1 s 1 1 o m � 1 J d b s
finished an hr,bi .111, buli n : 1
sti 11 a tl/'ai s e. 1cu l 0 l lrn 11 1 ,1 d.,
"
e i Ir t · e p ·a k n b �t' o· lie 11d1v1d ;I
r .. �

e. b
La -10

ac e
 1e I ai n s e ra rot o en s ma e de 1nea' o ,n
1 Gil e 's a ,fice.

PI 01T
B th e 1
y en es e as establis e hi sei a " p den r is 1

s dia� s a n, re Ferriss is he 1 ,ur� nicai nst um nt of a 1

co ��t�on o permissiv eclec ics· he mo e conv· cing hi · ork, he rno e

1 o o s 1 ali a n opo ai e isl s
But F -r-r1s ·. discov rs , n e cape from h1s d U n1rna: t eh n iqLJ th
isola es h. o o s o s e ·e
1 d . s 1n charcoal an "11 1 rec1- e h11p s-,11on�
fc 1 ,edium !1 1 r lies
on h sugges iveness of planes nd t m _ ip a ion o e�
ssen 1af srn d s,.
edium1 inc f)able of de,pi i · , he eclectic sL fa e
a a n� 1 e s Fer · n
,a·s mucn rende . W 1 , h a eh r e res n t I i o r, h e li b - · at s a 1 '' h o n e,s t'

b ild" . dr r t r ce I cess m
Feri ·ss d 1line- tions I ven as , 1 ey ar ·n nded o s 1 educ - c� 1 �ents
rO 'lar hatan c:i ·e· � nd ro gh h n el-· erp.pul ion-
ar cri íqu s o, e projec ha, hey pr en 1 1- em o� polem1cal
'"e· rec .1ons n ,1 t r ct onary blueprin s on w ich · hey ar b sed Th, t
, e h e he d e n , r ces
1 n co m 1 on re 1nfo ces the cu 1u 1 I t�ve im p��.c' of hes,. carrected projects.
e · I soe int a co e vs re a a· 1TI.

Vrl .ion be1 om1 s i e e sin, ty popu�a wit� M. nh ta' s int1 . i ants -
o the oin, ere Ferriss' ' dra in s al1 on repres nt an a a s are i ec-
re r ga dless o h ndi í ual 1 chi· ec o signed eac1 1 projec· ..
l1n ca,Jcui .edi va ,uen· s Fe
hiei11 xact1y tha uw rmly e
a p rec I L a _ pi a d · . ee 1 s n i ed in h is o 1

as h,e condit1on fo tl e b1rth ·. f a new A hens. Fro,m b-eing heJper, tlle

1

re. _ellinea o b
··· ca p mp er pec1 ,ve poe rry 1n1 o h.- mos unp 1 mijs.1ng co111poS1I·
ion . .. T . es y . u · 1llze I is ai n. ou dl be o toss e th p s
·o 'o bed d urn p . he ne m n1ng II h1 d s gn aU dane ..
'H �s , he e ec uior r1alic pilot � : q

R[' · EA 1 R1CH
1 a -o sly e rei o ·r ISS s
issu s o'f I nha anis11 1 wi h s ve s- .�ve rchUec , sucfl as
1
ay ond '1 oo an H ir y iley · or . ·" .. Thi · r se rc e n r he
u X' lar.. o" e,, ,ti 1, 01 the 1916 :zoning L· w a d , l 1 ,. nv lop,e
o eh ' anhat1 an b1�oc1k�
v ri .-boi h
ings a e he first evela ions o
1 · ' 1·,. A e
chologi ai - conta·ined ith111 ts 1 , i 1
e ,a id al ca e ·ori s, h e p, d_ e s t
1 1e 1

he ega iHag h h an 1ned

11 1 fin I ssem
-e
1

. 1 e hen '"

ne CI un o_c ed o
s hese shape
. Jlid. hic ·-
no
es u a e li e
o

s
a e h . e· ec i. g a r a ar ·or - s i SI

L_ B0 1 R�.
T tropolis
ln · 29
o omo,ro ·.,
he o k i ,· iv1ded �n 10 hree parts:
· , 1 coUec ion of his re de
1 rings 1oir her
s his va ria ion s on th · · . me of · , 1 w; · n
rojec e r nd
ns ..
An Jrn gin ry Me ropotrs, Ferríss'' new Athe
s in th e bo ok , ea ch 'e xp lai n ' by ·ex th t is th
r · r · 50 dr wing
· 1 eq uiv a1e nit a·f t'h e dr aw ing s' ch ar co a1 va u n-ss.
v
s· tu tu r of h bo ok is mo de led on the, ele rl, a
Til
da wn , wi th an ea rly m1 st v loping · scenet
b nk: · orn 'ji is ,ag ain
V jS h mi 'S be gin s to d�s pe rs e n to 'j a j(
r
1 � ª'
he g·en - cl r, ng

a! lows , us to ch ec k up on ou r irs m r,e 10 , ... - ,''

o
to the hr e , e _·a ts o 'h , oo k: ,erf ct
li1 corre sp on ds
·1· - 11 - worlk of h,. othe archrt cts· a 1 1
h } 9116
n,d . eore ical ela orai ion o I

. n, h1 shinjng fu ure
1 eri iss, i hích
a illage: ·,a pi in o
a co siderable · ais I o· eri oun a1n a s .. r �
M.- 1 s 11 iar Va1cL
�n,s, 1.
 O B
aU
1 he si� c 1 u 1 n.a 1n1ag 1 s. T1he g n ius of Fe riss pro uction is 11 t'h.
mIe1 wu of hi r. n , erin s i. sei· he crea �on o a . f i ia� na ·
e a e te a i c·d :u an a o e
coai part1cles hat hick: ns th�ns when v _r 11 cessary.,
Fe iss'' ost i po tan· con rib 10n to _h theo o -a
1
at I is _ ac 1-
e a ·he
F rrissian Voj .· a p · -eh b1ac · ha giv s bi r h to t he
cons cu ive sta of , he Sk -quence of so etime over
ap n- .. re p ,n ae e- n
Eacl, of ,ern s' d · wíngs records mon1en of hat r, ver- nd1 g ges atron.
. .
Th promiscui y o h Ferris i _n o b bl r­ e 1s ue o· pa er I y
T ,o a o n lien n
ign 1,flue ces-Ex.ress1onis' , Fu urism Const uct1v1sm�
1 urr�ajism,
e en Func' ion rs - all are e · ort�ess ac o oda d i exp · _ ln
ec fí iS·o· m

M.anhatt nisrri is co ceiv d ·i Ferrlss womb�

CR 1 ·1

Ferr�ss book ppe rs in he yea of th e crash, 1

929.
.
Tha ís n,o a ív COlnC enc . - 1 as soo a p r a, 1
.
ess o o a 1 e s � b
couf no do ny real buildi a least tf1ey cou ld do lot of r '1 � t1 fnking.
The s � yscrap s e over: obe re lec ion ha . set i :
JS S s O'_ o s o s ngel q1 , a h an
Tt1e otJ n of ; l1e r11veting m eh ines ha upon he arr. Th· arcl1i·
· ect re t ne· ropoli divested of - te II i 1 , so h it
s s ec · b s at e reoc u pi IC ue
Of 10· 1g rang,e · ranning here vvas not , Vestige ....n21
Ferri s i 1 e co e.

CLAR'lílCAT ON
1 1a · tie mos of - an ta s I hj k an · ore 1c1a 'S
se ·- 1 e a r·p s · or he gio
a vo�un11e on 'Th Bui'lding of tl,e Ci" y.'�
Thei for · 1 . k · · o e a br pra a ic u· 1
er es o · , e
n . i ac ac I i y co ' 1b e to e · oud o
uri knowing th t shi Jds Man 11 _ ttan i.srn ran1 the glare of objec ivity,
Like h y r en an �n e s 1n p annin ha cio_ s ir
ef o 1 S o orno· e , ha' e j . 01f o s ri in hi h S ser e
. -h1s e rn le . m 1tio - to s • · U 1 a e o usia h1le pay1 lip
s vic o clarif 1ca ion - m rks · h1e ra nsltlo1 n b n t e I i st, u nc0in-
sc10.1 s ha , a · n e e d s 10 _ s ase.
, i h th 1e I i st ra rap�1 of hei d elib,er tions, he thinkers of th Regional
PI n · bi. ui of t m r re. i · is be , s 11 a o
un er en e phc1 mn · n ,o o avoiding its lo 1cal onclusion
�AU accept he skyscraper : s -orne h1i1n which erv. s human ne1 ds
1

u e i s 1
a e hi s - li i as
be om h do 1n nt f, at re i 11. s uc ura� ccu11 osit11on of large
e r ic n · i i es .. B u i i a I o do i n nt ea u e · h e soe· a 1
1

ni ·o o· a I b I li · ín - ric ?... I · a mp1

o n 1

this qu st,on I
would h v o d ep I th n vv hav , d red to g , in
t a e n �·
e .rly · pology, ets he one: e'V, .. ryth�n 1 may b .. quest1aned wnhin
t f r m,e ork o e gi nal Pia 1 excep he Sk e ape hi 1

· · h re i to e
e ain in iol ·e:� he il a ap. d o h 1

Skyscr pe, no the Skysc ,pe.r to the theory.

il h a r ceed ·,o
cons · d1e h 1
• i ca be mad e h . a I h y a · 1
. b a u · 1u 1 ....
1

QUIC'K
ln the chap er · Magnifi enc - an Li , H �ons of Skyscrapers ," the1 thinkers
o ·e s s ,· 1 1 r i o , san h1 n
am 1 1enc . To secur ·h S yscraper s contTnu1ng ícense I o creat con-
ge ion� th y e ba k .. o ens.ib y o - e us de o d co es· ion.
t _re re o _ spec s 1n · hich h o -ifce ce e o
ser pers e nnot be qu , tron,ed. The gre tis fat d tower tha thrust
i s 1 ·n o I cio s a i I rr ed1 e ces r b.
ings s · tha it- sh do1 does o inju1 y o n ou1r" g 1
uildings, may
in e h1 n o n tis be an nno 1lin s·r ct re.
·s co e as e a n aI . 1 · Ing s e
1
- - -
as 1s o
..
aIne ·
by 1lookír,g low r Manha t n rom the wJd e expanse o th
1 1
Upper
Ba , is 1 . o n 2.. . - on
i i e· a I c1 e a · o n ..
� lhe pjty o 1t 1s no · h th towers .. re surgi g UJJi .. rd beyo d 80 0 ee 1

u e a · s. e a o. er· n o at h _an as
� s arti fiei a 1 , 1 ou n ta i n r a n g e s b u · 11 a t t l1 e y r e s o e o n1 p a e t t �1 a t t �1 e y k e e p
1
J

ou l1gh a ai r f om L h · r pa a i u1 1 • n .
e b u y of o ,ea ures co ld h e een re ine , ·· i 11 o e dd

l ·
b 1e y s 11 u lt o reater display of individua� build i 1 or 01 1

e n s ved ·n propartion as grea e hei w, "1

i' • o i los in he c�osiing of he y be

i of s ee and b i ding· i h y
s ith er y d a i g h· - o
o I n - 1 1 u a s ysc1ra pe s n . o h
a s gain d b a ni e
• 1 • •

n f -

e ez e

.. ire ral ea u. o r
or : e ropolis

. o .·ng· 10n
h c11se i e� - � proposal 0 sol tr e p obl 1

H, rvey Ue· Corbe t prom1n,en · hink '

1 h n -1nd
h, p nd te ·cl ,err a he younger gen
1
1
�on · ,11u 1bi1 •.

U iv rs
1n i fo �ev ed and arcaded walkways (fír pro o in 923)
t 1- roun plane of th·e city- now a eh, os of . �I mo · s o·
1

io1 -woulcl gradually 6e surrendere sol· ly to u· o ive tr fie.

Tr nch i �s. pia ne wou ld ai I ow fast tra.ffic to rush · J·,ough he
M t op �is · s er. I, cars needed more room . gai , h .g s o existi g
1 uil i1 g o I b back to e reate st�II larg · r as ar c1i r ul i ·11. I

1 - - ot·y edestrians walk along are d s e ved u ,

ades forn1 a con inuous netwo -· on both - ,i of streets
p 'D ide jts cont1nui y. Alon I h
ci · ·es are ernbedd in -he buUdi • s.
Thr ·on .. the capaci y of t e o i in.al 1 1 '

a i ar I he oa o sum s s illll 1 e 10n o

- o h

o
, , 1 L r- nmi nerrt r a ha' a
r íl I fa 1 1 lB Of "'Vi'SiOll j ng.r•
 or1 R iVB: B 1dge Bet\,H ee
w j r�ev 97�. as visioned
V V \!Vil y e r e
1 n 1 u 11 op . a 1 r
,valkt
" sl 1 ú

22
sij ngle traffic plane, an o I of e cre, si ng h traff 11c potential
70 10 percent�
iUW s ee a c1ty of si · w 11� s 1 1e , 1 in il1e build1 g h es,, a d one
story aba e the p:r s n s e � ridges at ,' U cor ers
h e · idt · of �he ar
1 pa s
of (o e em
raise o his .an
ha of a e m
i h ca ais

o s 1 o a

r - s . e ra o
e

la
s 15

n con - s
am on 1s o esc a era es - as 1n a
.
uan um lea ong s 10n . ecom
myst rio I si po
r ro so 1 ving _ · y proble IS p p· m, aphor t I a orders
an 1 1n erpre s an o 1 etropolis .
· t I th�s metaphor 1 s l t n . he .1es are su stanti1a edl:
1

in Corbet ''s ver moderniz d \A ni . e 1chi blocl h s become an istand

wit h its own ligh ho 1 ·s � he h .·1 tom hous· .J The populatian o -
Manhattan -journ ying fro 1 1 ck 'o lock - wou l,d final ly. and �it ra 11 J

inhabit a metropolita11 archi J go f 2,028 i sLands of its own m.aking. 1

CONGESTION
Ferdss, Corbett and th · u h rs o R.· gional P'lan have ,nvent,ed a
J
meti od to deal ration lly wf · 1 n I ly �rrattona 1.
They know i1ns �nc iv- ly 1 su1c1de to solve Manhattan s
prob�ems tha 111 hes.e prob'iems� th.a , 1s thei r
du y to ma e j · p 01 1i sunmoun able hat h
.
only solution fo of �ts frea ish 1 S O' y
-a anha an is r ard.
e lannin - of · 1 h Regia ai la
Co 1rnit ee - r us f ns1 s o he

123
 - - - osr 10· on the pl1osj, e su bstanc - o - - anh tt o· a s 1e o a-
pho ic m od et - as p 1 1 ve as y e f ,cie , - h - u bst, u e or
li e ai - g nrz - i n - i oss1ble in n _- ca e n oe ,e co _rol.
Th ·house 111 e' o _916 Zonin Fe 1ss un 1n s
Ir e moun ains· an ·inall y Corb s anha a as a ve mo, e nized
e ce o e e1 o m d ea I s m tn o f frivoft, y oca u f _ ry
T
of p ti1c , r - _ � s hat r ace-s
. di i,on I ob ecti o o
a ne isc1ph e o m l -,pho i pl nn,n o d,e 1 ,a rn, ·ropo�i' a n
situa lon nd , - Hy b -- ond he uan, 1f bl -
, on es 10n i setf is e essen, 1al condi on 01 rea!i 1ng each of llese
met phors 1in h re li y o e G O y g C.: 1 e e· e
s _ p r � ,ou se, h ,e Me g , �lia g e , tlh e. Mau n , ai n a n d fina 11 y e ma de n iz d I

au om10· v V ni - .
Tog h_ 1 1 e' ,e I et p 1ors a the found '10 of a Culture ot Congest"ion,
· 1ich j,

_'Ul_ U
of 1 Cong s ·'lon , ro, o es th - ca qu,es 0
1
e eh block by
SI gl S · CU,
E - eh , - ullild1n., ·11, b co a ·1iouse, priv, te reaim i1nflat ,d ai mlt
.
hou, , g ·,es s r e r rs 1
h spe
rum o' i s of 1 gs E 1Ch hous ' w1II re· re íl' a 1íff rent ,li e yl and
d1 1.e, en · - eo! ªY·
O, e eh n, - - ri the C ,lture f Conge , ion w·11 _.rr ng -- n w - d exhH - ra _ in
h s 1n unpr e de t o 1n roug F n as i ·i eh
n lo y , · ili ' - ossíbl to re,produce li it 1a 1ons - from h m -
n u I o I
e o
_ r ici I er e a
I h - ne _ er
e 1r
E eh Ci ilhin a Cit - ·ill be so un1iq e t 1· will r a u ally r e I s
o ính b. n s.
E, ,eh Sk se ap r. ef I e ,d in he roo s o· n dles -· lo o blac
li o I s1n s 1s n ,srand e v ry mo e n1z d e - a .s s m of
2 02 soJi u es�
Th Cul re o Cong s on 1 - the cu1
1
r,e of · he, 20th entu1
1

191 31
n t e hH I of
e cr . sh Fi - s - a d a ha ai s h -
su c,e .s ui y n · o· iated ' e trans1 ion b tw , n Manlh 'íl'ISm s pre�
cons iou,s a- . LJ ' - 1 · CO · . C( 5 all e
h esse1 ti I n1ys ri s intact.
e - h e e a1
 Iz · n'' o p -rfo m withou' s.uccum.-.J.ng to s l':�con c�aús·- 1S 'S.
ux Ar s costu1me baUs devo e 1 o s 1 1 ic � i·' 11, 1 aux
1 1 '·1,cie ·.France:- i'TheGardc-nS .fV 1 ·nl 'e. ' ·.,10}11 onJ
serve as oppo1 :·,u 1
1 t s o 1 r- u I s
o I onsumma e i heir lo e a ai
. -1 lo IS ire Sed � .93 17 n1 e O . íllr d
anno' b··. elayed o eve.
h :ar , a .!_ of 1m o e e

O -5 O:

as, 1 a 51 e '" ·s
o
r s s 1 a

, ·s - uised as cos e a1
sp1r1 o one . no s 1 1s o rd
o e a op1n an 1n p1n
n . musing _hin s sh ui b 1e . .
su, r 1ci I interpre atio s of e · g n zers
modern spl i in art is not ... n 1ng
il pt e 1n dl pa · nted decorat t,on b r �s
1 c ·. ds ic and ·more vi .ai as , n _ .·. pr __ sion of 1 0 r . e, ívirty
ht ...
� ln ecorat1on, as in the costumes� �he eff �ct s. _ h is r y h �cr
vil r ,nt qu lity ex ressive of the feverish ac ivity w i h r ,e riz s
our work . _nd ou play our shop w1ndows and ou a lv ti. s, he
f o 1 ' .1 l1d . he jazz of modern nfe. . _n 24
w· ks in v nce the pL bl�c is ínformed of his m ir._ s o a ress
._ s. e. • T 11 - F ête Mod e rn e 1 s to be rn ode n is ti e, · 1

·ijc my · ic, ·. rch�tistic and fe·min;stic. . . . y i

O' rlg l1
nt w�·11 b rewarded .. � .." 25

1 ,o,
' .
o· eve· t ui eve · s and d ii h ui I h­
. ho el as Isappea ed an is r� . vo1d
i InI o he u i · ers o e n· '
i'From he darkne-s abov, prr m ic lcn er s s ab the gloom l�ke grect
proJ1ectHes trom· he sky ....
Guests �
1
their wo- s1lv r n -co or d c0istum1es trace roc
1ike , rajectories� or fllo t in ,dair. cubist1c
. .
ma n-s ree - seems. USA lis or ·d b. o ern s
1

. ris ic re r shme r li id eta -and

- . .
�n1a u e me eor1 es Uo a e s r e y s11, n
s r a s dressed bl e 1n . Fa ·. ilia · . elod1es
o ches ra ill e

ac o o -

s -

JS

1 e a · ic: a
ions �o their i 10

� a1 ed upa gre e 1 d alcon a a

ra o s
-
r cess1on of colo. s t s u h sil
poised · o I ig inha 1 an s o 1e
u pe au� e arged m1 � upa he va 1 -
ambi 1'ion o' o build, k- g 1- r near r · o · h sta s 2
!',

BA: LET
·
Now Manha an's buHd s g ti he win s of the sn1,a1J stage .o
prepare for the ciiimax of · ,e · v nin : 1 co ·ng -h. ir own Skyscrapers
they wil'f perform a �·skylt e o New York ' flet.
Lj ke their t.o·wers the rnen r re· s : i e stu mes whose essentia 1
charactedstics are sin1 i i -- r; ar, ,y 1 · ir o - t gr ui tous eatu res are involved
in f,ierce cornpetition. heir id, n ic .. ,I I ky' craper dresses�' taper upward
in attempted conformity to th l Zo 1ng Law. ifferences occur on�y at
. he top
Tlljs agreen1en · is un _ ir to so 1e , ·hi p rt· cip. n s. Josep H'. Freediand · ..
w·ho has. onJ1 y designe th .' fou - , of ' he Ci, of Ne. York
never a Skyscraper. v r el - mb. 1r -c1ssment of I he
shared S, sera per dres f ein alo e but ones �
h1s even·ng cos um is h . iidi
eonar Schultze s1gn o ai o �As o ia as

21
One all
r
use
5 .uised
l a.d t r p es ,n ha· ín o - er s rruc ur ín a s· 1 gle he. ddr ss. H 1 l1a ,
s. t I or n .
he e, po � •· e_, r 1 . er . Fulle Bu1I '·n has so ,w op ·n1ngs
t 11 a t f G i, 1f1 u I n e s , o i ts d ,- 1 g no , con e 1 ·s e 1g e o po a
n - . ss.
· ·h cios . fi . of ,- e - and S,k s · ap e dr,e. s n E,y J , cqu · s 1 Kahn rreflect 1 1

he na u �· of 1i · b ildings: n, · tr 1n li' a r m ti 1n ac e he
a e sq . ,ns.
· 1 ph Wal -·· ir · p ec1 s . s One W- 1 St ee , H airv y i I y Co be t s h is 8 u s ·
1 rm i ,i 1: J a n1 s O Co n ar n J o 11 K i1 , ri I n I e n
a - r, s Gil espi , 1 s · · n g d h impossible: he
is d sse as . void o epres n an unn med sub ay s a mon.
y o od h . s com a · h 1s D 11i y N 1� • s B. 1 l , g. 1 a
-
a d o ock f Ue Cente a p oj1 e so co 1.pt · ·. and
· ITIO e,rn' ha trans1a·1 ,1on ,, ., o a s,i · re cos u e.)

P1 ROX_S.
,outshínin ali o he 1 e as ·i h· · s,nce 929 on he ,. ge o· mid-1 anh · n 1

· e C ysl . r B í r i n
1· a chii ec _ illi V n - r n h - s spurne . th e S · cr p dress. hi.s 1 1
•

costu 1m - hke r a p. ro Y'S , o d il. h ent-r cosi 111 1

r e o ir e· 1 e 10 h ri me · wt I bl ac k pa e n .
l e her.
1

t e , ash n · lin·ng - , _m -co ored s·1 . The e pe- u .· ees

e·n- ood
1e · · o 1 .ood 1 r
r s r a o e ( _ 1a, - · us' alia Phili pmne Is an ds ou, h
1• 1 1
1

America. A,rr1ca, Hon 'u as and h Ame 1ca . h s oo s _ ere · a ..

ood Phih,pp ne 1a o_ any A e ic a n .1 t f ie e So
e 1c- rt a s . n apt and ebony l,ace wood
n Aus tralian a . h e s u e . 1s - ade possr � ·1e h us o
F ood a e 1·a1 of a h'n ood i h a r1 1 e i
· cos u e s des·.g1 e o 1 1 e e 1 11 Cl1r .si r B ildrn, . , he
,eh e�t res in h com o i ion b_ing a ie o by
1 1ng I

a s h op u ·1di g s a e, ie e· r h _ · e , ical
· er carri1 d ou I y t
P e 11011 n e J l e s.,
e des 1·g rs loo _ oors us1ng the sa e _ �oods s
were used in he elev 'ar · oors he s l1 v s and h fro1 · as . r pl 1ca 1

1 h e e v to do ors o
I
I oo s o, 1 u 1r ·n .
o - - en,·s a. !e-· e · ap an1n a· _ he 61 st-1�oor s tb 1c� o
the bu1lding ....�' ,
 �s Van A ien s sw an so ng a br itt 1 nu m <h .. lncons1 lc ous on
ve i
eS
1b und ,niab�e on the G,r-d at 3 , !h S
1

Ma nh a an 's s yl1 e, o · ysl·er

do · ·na 1 es
1C

w o h
1,0 6 = 20 4 · ee . 1 s ai no st co m '�·
le 1rs oo ing ma ha · ro s U r e y d y.

o -
-
. rs � '

Cl,a 1 1 s anh.
1
a· u s e n
e
e e e s .e
sa s E
n
..

Qi
. r

Co 11
.

sa e s n
e ·1 a p;

pr e se : s a

as.
· ao is a nec a n � 9

.
an - an e s - · d . pi
"

1 1
tr
lo s co

COr T ST
t ha th e ]a·. s of t e c os 11 m . li ve go, v rned
· · it i1s clear
'M
1·
. t n's . rch11 ec., ure.
tlít ec tu re be co m: e he . s -1m - that
On�y i N ,w Yo,r k ha s1 arc
re of rep et ití ve i n e rio moo hiy
o not r ve i t, e tru e na tu
us to pe rfo rm th eir rol s ·. y · cu tume
i to th. s I co ns cio
nv en tio n i n wh ich h e de sire or i I ivid u I ity and
li is · l1 ·· on formal co
rfo 111 1 r. bu is
erigi ali y does not endanger collectiv · p
u ily condition for it.
ty co n tes t. it ís a rar e for ma 111 w ich coll ctiv su e ss
Like he ea
na te to he fer oc ity of md ivi du I ltio
1s . i , e ly . op rn tio
eh lb cts by ma kin g tl1e 1r S . · se r ,er co , · 1 . iv,. lly
N wY
i··ijv · h -v tun ed he en ire · opulat1on
, r
1 1e�
s co n inu ·ng a ch 1te c tu a su s e ns
s e �
m 's u
The Lives of a Block·
The W, ldorf Astona Hotel and
1 mpire State Building

,el/-pl n li 1ouJd ta an · ec i e clin1a· .

p . I an i 1 the Jine

T
028 bl s in b .h _ Com on 1i
F1 s.
_Q s-

il -
o
, ·ore a
ss a
b, as a 1 e e
dise -ied.
n T om son acquires . o 2, 5 O 20
ao d an _ em1nen ly · u1 a . - or 10 S
cu1t· · ate as armla 1 d. H ilds d con nie
b rr - n se era ou -ho ses: A

� 827 h 1 �- ,end Up Vl m: ' two o· her - S, líl p eS IOíl of

· ilUa1- � A, .o ,r , 20 ,000 ..
1

h ·. stair . m:yth is young and fresh .. 1

.r rom . hi·e 1m1 les.
. . ginn1n s,,,
oh J co ,A. ar (William B.s a her) 11 r t · hims I u ·wcr - n, p,-. ed
1 is f ily ff the to mos, peak of wealth, o· in 1 1en · , ow r, o· social
in1 0 . nce .. /
1

Myt m ets lo k wl en William B. 'builds th first A. or M nsion o· he

1 w proI rty Only f ive storíes tal 1, it represents mo1 m nt f social
cl11m bi n h� Q fix · s the seal of perpe ual prestige on · 1 f ou ite .'' lts
mi ke the corner one of N w Yo k's 111 ,jo t·
rivin.g immigrant loo.ked on h·e As ar M r s p o� 1se
1o·f w�, A ica ' 11ght yij elld to h1m too,
I 1 hroug WC 1 1 111 n : y n
iU' d ti rn11na ion.
1 a m �

B. A.
e i d i id d b.e een _ , anch � s of ms H
 r ·n ,n.all ·. s op co111:municat1ng ,a!toge h
LJ ' hey s. ,n
.w
si I th -.. e
1
1 1880s e 33r Stre 1e corner carries , A
a dso
1 1e ahnost , nlica 1I _ s · J e
s
ya ai .ed a den. h co si
oc ·s spli
ai o · s o d e· ·e . o
To
ai e oc

a f so

a e·a .. e

S I S· S.· ' ..

a ·1
11
she in

n 1h nc o
1 re h e
ili
ly
or S 1ns uc' 1ons a house ..
I
m

. · � _ e n · e · rve
nc as h man y , , ssi 1 • 1

As · r .
u , , p s v -
1 ••

es r uc bo n of a st ru ct ur e do s . o , . cl.
s
a1d or f he i nje c s he o e, . f 1nc · tion
ion . t its spl rit· wi h h1s W
i o rclii ec re.
ru n th e ne w ty pe of '1 ou eo g · Boldt,
Aft r findi g a manager to
th e b lu ep ri.n t plan of o· e! .: the
· who could stand on
fro nt do or s r
' - A st or f�n Uy I V · ngland.
n1e pning in , th e
fo r th e ho te l ar riv e by ca bl e - ar ch i· ·ur in Mors
s g · stions
20th e ntu y is approaching.

n ·n
h 3- - ory _ a I darf is fi n i h d , 1 o d
'1

n
1

e no s J a h 1 e lí e
H o 1h bloc 1
•

e ion and si e by e
8S.
1

o _e
of ne o ia ians e con- inces a b
ai o e il L ICI a 10n
o po e 1n f h
 Boi . has lready eou1 tera
c ed the slop o Fr 1- en
a n loor of 1 he ·.· ldorf to n
be s, h·gh naugh ta com
e jus[ eve, with
he p ve e t . f Thir y- .ou
h t e ... h
1. h g un oo o
n d o Is e ,uJ
I
t _ n absolu , sin f e teve ti
ln · 896 hree y ar a · er )
e op. mng o the aldor
· he 16-s ory Astori
is comp eted. n th gro n
· loo · do 1·n n e
a i rio are d li
a runs parallel o 34 h Stre
e for more h n 00 feet.
f om an int · io e r 1a e
ri e a ,o ' e o e oo
O I h ro d floo he
A e
o ho eis re joine by sh re
· f cili'ies th
une u e he ividin wall:
he · o-s or ai oom. a br neh ot Peacock
Afie kit hens. O t h e o · d n, ir lo s .. re 1 . o­
e a ,e he a, ous Asto b Jlroo
a d th Astor G1alter .
'' n l,;mos· exact e pírc o
' ,e h i o ic alfroom 1n ar s.
T e ra pia , ions from ,J
e n jons - U e · 1 o me et ·
nom nc a u - - su.g, es ai t e· ald'or f-As, orra
�s conce1v1ed by i' s
p omot rs a a h u I ou e r, . . e gh s s o , s pr................ c s ors.
o cons, ue a , o 1 s 1 n e_ y is own past and tho e of
mgs: such 1s lhe Manh · other build
rn t s r tegy or he prod
, 10n of vicarious
hi tory "a e and re p e
bilit . ln · a tt n ' n a
,s sen' ed arl · ys, in he false
H,ght of · mili ri y.

As Willi m ldor A or rn en _ d. th
ve y co. in [of h unit, d
se, med o m r a distinctiv
e eh ng
hotel J
he U I Ci iliza 100 .
pi .e o h rea s ra ce o· e .
· iconog· a hi s the prog
ho el nvo!ves I m a ca p r m o ·· 1 e new
ig a g and manip la
pa r - s e, 1
o e n · , e o oli y o en --- rv1ces ha impli it y t ck
h dom rn of the 111 1v u I
o s hold o he poin wher
1 s re son for b íng.
e th y eh li nge
o s ou · ,e · p ce a therr aparlm
nts th WaJdort-A,stori o fe s
ose nc -m er d i h m nsions
he -ophistica e 's rvi e
ir . n - rgies from · a e a
gis ics of running a sm li pr
iva e palac .
Day af e day he · aldorf
u Is soe·e o I aee o
eco ,es tn , ct _ coo s
I collec, e s lon for xhíbi
in -' •nd intra-
du ing new u b n m nn rs
( uel , omen lone - e clea ly
a le-smo i g ,n pu-lic). e pec-
As i eco s i a fe · ye rs . 1 e cc
e, ed e, n. of a · r at vari
of concer s dances s p e- ety
1n e. r a e e s
orr e ' , a ld .
cl i .o b a hattan s ci I ente o
g avity ' s mr-

. 35
p. lic ins i . 1 0 · d s1g1 d or _ r s 1 g 1
p sp ..· o s re i d . ·n · o 17·
ew Yor . n1 oli· n · · ai of he 11u u ne1 o u a n ,li i e
I
I

loc I a - 1n e do - o 1a ias ecom e

Unoff c1al Pai e o,f New York'

O· AT
B p ra , 1 n
l er,d o i s m
11 ern
1
,

h Ido f as i ns i . a · d p a ad
cr. com or tech nologies. d ts,. metro-
· · yl s o e 1 · el j, o
·all. sh d I s 1 , ,ca nation .. Any a h� e . ral
I j s ( to i· e eg ne at n r a r i nto a b
o ou ed e hnic an ·mo· · n a ,ar1 s ha 1 e. n s h1 h
SU1 en e to Chan ha IS he trad1�ti 0n r raison tr
1
1 1 F,

r rei o e - 1s e e · e · i ho I a ru
, · n . se - .y co sensu - of con m CJ I intuition , .n · pubUc op1 , ion -
s n1 ·.
B fd an uci 11 s ,oarner propos rad ua lly to
· e o · u a
otel ·fron I he o he,
1r 1 n · 1, o·
an . f . . e a, 1ng n - o h mo ifi e n ar d es i n a 11 N e w
1 •

or in I IZ .
f m. 1 · o p· e I s rg r e r r. . o· h.e
twi n , s th t ti e Wa1 ld ar rea ·h . f e s m , h as he As o a. 8
a h r po a s , g e s a
1 '
18 1 -R · Jl10 1
Th . re l p oblem af th Waldorf-As ri ,s ha 1t i no a . :kyscr p r.
T1 o e uc a o
b1 C0 1 1e to eallze ive struc · :a
nc rn o 10 · he id s
A·· o· colossa.l house w1 li e re erv, d mos
man 10 d . s· y ra , ha e s i anci 1 ed
e Zoning La ..
ln draw� gs, ne b lock is no co te· ed by equa I a o e
cc an s� e r ef S se - p · r1 · s 1 . s be . n ·.
he con · ai o an towar . th . f dl x ploita 1on of he 916 · ud, I · and
1 e o e .
 e i dr wn as culn1ination of ·· sequ ce ot occ pan le
TI , 'i s 11 ,
M sio1 to
ii u

a ·an s urbanisn1 ís no
ccu
1e
a p se
s a e sp 1 o ili nce
ºS eapp h·n 1 o

IS las

s e s
e s s p
S IQ

- s o be · a s k yscr I
i ldin r u p
n . · ed man· urp ssín
rr n o
signed. ee ing in · h i1
I1re 1e s of he mos e �t�c 1 ·
r h i· ,e, u li
gr · � s scribed by WiUiam1 FL l r IS
1
UI
becon1e epigrammatic. ; [1 ] w· s s,
•

28 fee t fro m w1 r,d ow · o ·y sto,r1es

o e . more th an
ex te rio r of lim s' o e 01 · ·I, -
1uch sp .ce as pa s.s jb le� an
me an t a ye ar an d ,,x r 011
1
t1e be 0 i n 17 �ng
y M y 1931 wh !ch
o ke che ....
pla n is ve ry si rn ple . A ce r i n ou I t ,. ce i n the
"Th , 1 o i of tl"le
rr ng ed as co mp ac tly as po ss ibl e cont i , · th · v r 'e I circulation
e n
do rs. Su rro u nd 1 ng I is i er o of ice
. d ·s, 1 fts a n d co rri
e siz es of the f 1 oo· s di · !ev o,· s
s 8 f ·e t e p. lh
es se nc e t' er e � a y, , i . O, nr n- b1l S1j ac
nu,m be .
1 1 1

11
d I y a pyramid of ren' abl e spa
1

S a e is be1ng planne th Eu
o
n in
writing unhindered y th . u hor' � p ar.: tus.
-he Em fre S ate Buildi _ j-, tic arcJ1riecture a sensunus
surre,nder by í s col I ctiv 1k h cco,u.ntant 'o the plumber-
to ; he process of buiiJ1d1
T Em· ire s, ate ·s a il · p o, ram t an to ma e
ancra[ a s rac ia li
1 s cons ruc �on a e o
er e sale
10n, a p . e rs

ar
· irra - a
a es.
e e h r

S'
On oc·ober _ 1929 li s co d �ac s
1ed d s ro bars e
o e
. estr _ ction ot e a· of he co s ruc �on ..
r-· 1 ents ti .at are · 1n, uch · a o co es · t1at no
each into the as y _ t · 111 t ri 11 lco i1 e Sta e We sa1�vaged
fo r passenger elevators f o t1 nd insta,,led them i n
ernporary posi :_ions i th new ú
Those parts that do not serve ny pu _ os r- e ted off 1n trucks and
�oaded1 on barges . Five mU s b yo, d nd ook 11 Wa�dorf is dumped
in the sea.
Tl1e drean1's ou1-rageousness ctiv. "1 do I htmar,es: mfght the
bui!djng s heaviness n1ake i . lis .. r· th - earth? Na - "Em pire 1

Sta, e is nota new load p,l é c · o ck. J n t ·. � _ he inert 1loa.d of

arth anci' stones put t 1er · by N ha I e n _ u away anda useful
lo - d jn the form of a buddjn s ,1 ce h r , by an.

1, L. NI I G
ccor ng o he lo. ,ic o u o
a ass1 e a mos o na
, as hrev · a hi · n pi
 5

l su I es p ea r d a t ''A d ·ear w '='H

1 r I rn, cl. .."'
. .
r:

17 1 1 JII w '
 -a ·e a ra s re p ve and o r. ..
·: he l HI · en o· sched 1,e ,. h,a
o
, 1o e q · ed .. s · b -
m gic, th Ir · up lie
el ows.... '
Sin e , a o · e S -1 _e
,e 1
van sh ins,de · he bwlding wh,ch
now eems to generate 1ts lf, eedi
n
, he r- di g
p -s
e ui arity.
Atone po he velocz IS o a 1c . rc hi ec reac ½
ones 1n - n a s.
Th cl dding join _ th fr m �o e eh loor.
I
e I fr m e J b d
ur bu f d ar to ca ry
e e
u . a a a o,n -h
, 1 va ors o which heigf t it wo 1/d
lse e nd which gang o worke s wo
us. · O ud
a , r: o - ra s o e e on s �a a1
ar knew wh s com,ng p nd wh re ft would be
n eded.
Do n el h, e, o o e
similar eh duJ. s. 1 y · new e eh
110 ir o ev whether they were
to bri n · st f b ar s o nc Indo · o
Em i e S a e. Th momen f d.
from ·e lace the I ngth
Ulo ed o ra fc d prec1s - om
1 r, · cal te , s h · n , absolu pr cis1011.
Trucks i1d 110 wa1 d rricks n
elevators no s in ídl m n
a

e o e e a

T s · a 1' e -11 li e
or ou cnHdr n s chHd ren to won
de - a . Th 1 s , pp - rance co, 1es
1

u e o eh o . -n1 kel s e I r , r
ow; dulL
sh do s hic of n cor e o deepl r ces
indo s, pi - a J y o lrn S at a avo id d by
se, i 'o h'n me - 1 fr m es �ush, 1
í h h o 11. hu
no en s do s _ 11 e, o r e u · rd s h e o e ...1
A,fter h, b 1ld1,,g 1, part�c· , ke up n loo · th
ru ·u e , o
' 111 Jre, ta e eer to f loa ,· J d e e n ench ,nt d i,ry tower: o ver
or s e s s pi
 .
si be 1
.
h . e o e e 1 .o ou 'º
b .,:k on a rea1n w H - p I a n 11 ,. d .
1

B e act it- har e o e s

-
fro b 1ng Isa an pJ oti ,e canq e� o e Auto o um n by
h� e 1orrns o cultu1r
as o
�ts gro nd 1 foo 1s 111 ·e l1 vatar· her 1s n pl ice �e·ft betwee1 th sh fts
o 1 -e ph r.
u r loo L o a s 1c ly I ine 8 000 p , p . M yb a
bu 1ne n f I ds im ,elf puz I d y t gr n I s' .y'� se
1
z
s s n a ..

RSH_P
Onf a h to IS h r,
. m oli ·íTI.
1

.
·A h eig y-sixth lo, r �ev 1 i · h- ob e V tio o er s1 een s o
p a r e
co e r 1 11 e r - . . . . 7
1' j, arso 2J I a·r
1
ao 1n
do ica sta us _ o , n s s ..
Only an irship coul o g aU Ma hattanf
le . n ac e ..

DIS L CE E
e - h H e. n n, r s s 10 t of -e
h e o nc p , 1

Waldorf con i nue - to exis in the ar, of righ s to its na e wn d by

radition f tl1e I st 'W rd, o la n nd design liie Wa ld pe rance

as e ir t S yscra er uUy con U·e
�or er a e � an r1 s li es I e a n .. g e lias a n e· r d f rom
yp to typ in s are o ide I accommo at� . Jj l1n · 1 e eginnin p 'va
e _s e e 1c s 1
·_ ew Y:ork,ers. Th n 1 am1e the fa Browns1ones, wl ich we1"e some-
1m s ·wo-f 1
il ' a . ir h n t la a I ed. 1 s n up
íl t SO ial - C I a d ca e pa . le Sm e _ ecau of
- co omic advan ag - tl1 ir
d o.T a
1rg a�n 1 1ng pur ase- a1 · m ny ac1llties of I v1n th.
ha re _ ious y n un o
a o q - s corr pond o e te acc ui ons o in 1-
vi u I units · t at howeve combined i d I n t su ren er thei ind pendencie.

14
B s fC s Io rea eh , 1 - s z i h 1

oesac nc_p_ o
a e -a ns

·e n a
e 1

ar 1 s rea he
le co e
ires elabo , m cal and d
re uneconomical � · h s n _ e ha peak s e or, space person
1
1 1

__ dgetry and art· G ' i1 onlliy sporad·c. wl7He í He pre-sence is

·rirnental to t e o , imu�- - experienc-e af pnv y.
11n addition i this infra uct re is p-erpetually I r - - ned with r obsoles-
c ence by the pr -s u
1
aslTion - ori change x of Progress-whi, h
esu l s j nev itab,�y l in , , ow 1 ,a versj on to 111 a k l'Orl investme1T
1 S.
Th ,esid n i,a� o - 1 1ansc 1en s : hi , d1�iem1m a i ng 1
,e : 1 � 1 t
and - ub ic fun 10 �n ividual t 1en bringing ac
of ga- ouse
o · e ui a

ri - d

co U E
e a uí - o h bi 1 • e fec a com - u 1 •

1 s I haibi ants 001� ir 1nvestn1ents o fin nce I oll! e· rve ínfrastruc r

tu re fo t he ' nethod o f 1adern livíng:·
· nly as a commun _ e 1 ·hey afford th machine y to sustain the expe, -
s�ve an d strenuous t - - diUon of the last tAlord.
By the sarne log·lc he l I 1 1 also becomes h -r headquarters of
�ubs and organiz 110 lllat o no' have he11 e ommodat11ons.
rr ed iro v 1 y n econs 1 itutr _ 1 1 v s a t r gu Ia r i n ·
a minimal os .
es1d n ial

ra
ca
P'RO B-E 1

A p b1l1 m o '.� 1 · nn g i ee n dor s

a rt:1 ,s11 n nt house a gr at ba1I I room ,a' d ent, rt ,tn·
I
· ·1 r · C n a1
Im en 1, a y · a a r1 at oa e rs
cks., va ious xhi n room1 , a d ev ry h i 1 ,g on e e ri L ín k o , · e
1

. hole th11ng n1ounting to s' o 1, s. �

e rc - · ct 110,b a to p · n he gr a· s ho el o aJI ti · e a r ,e, ure
de igne o 'a, e car o d z ns o unctions a h s me om en , 11 ,a 11ng 1 1

n o e tJ,ou e ues · ·. ho, re n t i1 - L · o a e

-1g o· nt of su h a I tair ,gor g on ri,gl7t nde helr no ses .. , . º
f ts s,i' - doe o r aH . - 1s : e n i e o e · s o
. dg, d e 'We n 1h r;a1ilro _d r.ac ,s. ri' i0ccup1es a whole block, 200 'by
60 0 ·
1
· ee· P_ 1 , _, L xi .1 n ·. , n 1
s . 5
s ili .o · e os li. fo'II ws I he Fe riss1an env it ha two
innac�,e· , inste d. o 1n,e, a · e , o 1 o g s 1n
on 3 , t, t · e
Th, lo.._ s 1·0,ors contai'n ree 1 · ers of n _ , ,nment . n publ1 e ·e 1-
re · e eh , e siz o t · e ori· i nall bl ock s b 1 • vi· ed í n o · le o aJ ..
rec angles and squa es: Ro,m n ba hs · ater.
h otel1 gu,es s . e oused i I he I ou J e reac
ha I ay o t e ,. o, E T e pe m ent -es1· _ ents li'v, in the Waldor Tow r.s
cc .·. silb1I · roug a ri · blo I li.

SOLITUDE'S
h thre. 1 we - loors 'he, 'W 1do form one o - 'h,e most el bora �e
· an1 e 1, · 110 s e o e e p o a o. e I en1ce
E e · t oug1- all · 1r 1 . ces ·. re easHy e· essible. th 'Y · ,e no
1ublic· th · y or , s ,q iene .. o , ea1 r�cal li · i oo, s - n - , rio fo ·
e_ ldof·-. h,ous guesis iha:a 1 m1 is.isi,'o· bu clud s h .en ral
popula io hese liv· g roo ,s o . 1s 'tu1 e one ,01 til bicai ed p iva' e
eal s th og ·. h1 _ a ha a s Vene ·an .
T fr ,e Pi 0 1N · · ·1 e l 'eve, 11s a maze o
1

o e no, e o · ire la 01 )" · a lea s

· ori e . Yo, k os 1 n e . s I n,g p opl .· ... d co,ra e,
a, sr ,o · e , 1,s ode · o I D·u Qu i e �e'' r iI a
cand· avia sp ,e. ha arks lhe locati10 o_ H port
e oi ili s I e gre e e r a - 1e Emp1 1 e Roo- , t e
J d Roo e 811 e · o m . n I he R'ose Room�
The h rd llo r · . a syste o i · te cor Inec 1ng lar e sp e. s ulminat1ng
in a co, oss :1 ba' 1- 001111 _ t i ai' .o · -e ter.
 01 Ã Oli YI W
1
1 Of

••••
t1
' 1,
·I 1

1
1

\
 he two are separ ted by, � y · l' f!it ri c1li ·ies - kí chens
�ock rs off ices.
An fJoors are punc1 re y 1 p I va ors 1n a con'Hgura ·on
ha efecs heplano, h
. mploye s and fr i . (On 1 1 -20 b 8 ee
to a k e a I i ous i n o -e e o h li f t e ea · a. to-
o il e hib1
oco. t a 00 es e pi e

a s

a
he ·his an e o abiJ a o
-h old ai h a re-
asse ed · t e n · unta1n os, h 1c e n inui
r h int ior d, cora ors o
econs r ct t 11e1r tro loc i ns hrou hout he 11ew
ructu re: the d� lnt r tio ovi · '5 a mple r 1 ai:erf ai fo the
asse,m bJy of Man hattan e I s.
1
' 111 i he early plan rn ing
e bo ut to b e d is r11 a n t j d, . . . · 11 ovv i � g vi y M ir. Bo om e r nego i at i o n s
were begun r which e, ded i, , ti e pu ,.e 11 ,5 f · 11·.· beau tirully painted and
decorate.d sa lon ."· 1 t is recons i i t l 01 h l lroom 'floor.
S1imilar transplants - th y e us b sy t . nsa I n ,e traffic o· di·srnantlec
mantelpieces - .are i1 serted i � floors alterna.te in mod·
· w r w�1
i ied French andl ng!is 1 s yl , O'f d e, rc ion wl ile som.e af the terraced
si i es have been · 1 ec0ira, ·n fLJ · i1s in ontem porar.Y stylle� .. _ _:·

TENT.. ·CLES,
1 s none 1s . ent site ore s h ld
o _ei lanning conve io
Since t e a-!road I un illl ac s. te
W 1i11 ou· nt li,e radJtional iocatlon fo s vic s s cl - s k'tc ens
nd e acilities are therefo e ato, ii.z 1 • , n s 1

•
1 O· i 10. s r ct e rin opi im,al �oca1 ions o s -rv g he f st
b i 1 1n
e h .aldor as a system itch 1 .. a1n
on h e ond floor� m .o - li
.
fo o ::.e ice pannes Hd
.
he o ms an · 1nn 1n1ng
1

.
loo S� o 9 1
-
FI

a
a e

e
f 1 s

T 00 .. as o
ho e o · e
o e s
een e a 1n p·o Inc1
o, - ve ea Ing 1s room.
ar o clnest ated an . coor � in
11
ecomes an extensio - o ·r e volum -
an _I special ser ices ren er y _ h 1n · o t
o s · es s e uires equipmen hat 1s extensi1v
1
ough o s ·rve
ci w1 1 popul ctian of more than 50 000'.. � :-
Thro gh I hes revolutionary arrangements and 17 aciliti s 1. · ke
e bar te private or publíc functions - bali . xposi Ians,
cone rts . he trícai p -rformances - ai I ot them ·n s lf cont ined spaces
h t · clu e 1, lls, hea er, restaLirants cloakrooms, da ce loors, etc.' the
W I or · -As ori b com s "the social and c;ivic e . nte w lch i is od ay... :' 47
M , � 1 n s L st Skysc a per House.

i · 1 e -when, 1he second Wald,orf ijs lbe1ng . 11 i!

1
. ll 1
11 a:, A}:,orion,el ic se n
h ough e·-1 r,ia ri
s - oll • oo 1 's f ava(1 e subj 1ec �
sona ' et
s1 - He I s the se( )twrite · o he o n o 1 1Ve g
1 1 S O
1 o Is cal isIons be een hu n in _
o ers f e i le cross - e ion ,o h
nomet 1c s

1a o
 fo
• ured erface et e n o

e o p
an a s IC

on.
desci s a ca hor cu
111
I-lo el 1 · oul · ínv,
n
tfnost o rub, si o
m I y
. is as he best 11wes
n
b s the fu tu re yc oo n .' 8

l,f e"' t p rs e rs
e in tr ig ue women gue s · r
1 a I p of -lh
e an n oy an ce s an r po si i I i ,e · f
ai I th
y he I ote I s \mover o •· · r · lo n t le s tI e
h 1 ,a d s to an accel r r'te I li
ho u ek e Ü' l , w h 1c
d by "h yp er -e rn c nc i p te d e tu r
m 1 , su d , ly su rrounde t Ei n s i, 's t · ory · nd
ore tll ey kn o w ab ou
"The luer tl1elr eyes, · he m th re a l lo w ow n on l1e
to g iv e yo u
L nd upon a clinging vine

doar b e 1 on
m r ma �e story he. boy next of S · e .e,r
s. tap · an ci ng an nd is p en abl 1

1 · r ov , h1

co i eo h r or
Un il 800 e I e s a azed on h
o u, r
chn· ai i
and: s I a s
e s o il
 71 Y· IV a 1
, �U h .a rf W'lln 1• SS ti1 fin ea1 nc
o I e ·h Ho el s rn t mb1 iou
G n1 -a - 7 S

Hv in Wal or·r owers th ir o pen i ng. o cu niv

e ,nec s s ar
B cau sh th ,se
ev nts i l1ose to be s incom at1 !e s p ssi le IS 1n '
10 s. a ad e a r
(w o rs in e 1 , a rg o t h Wa I o rf et . , a f er
o n
gance of co, u b llsd ..
ln 191 35 w n er vo i e tadigh o 1s Ire o y
Ja n o
Ter pie of Karn i� ar Lux r-1 ava1la ·le, IV1axwejl se s h eh nc o
s h I ss _e.
e pa 1
• ly 1n 1is J d!e . af1 r 01 1 €t go�ng ·o g1ve I far111y rd l c:u , y.
b rn dance.
o a e s ai s 1 e
�r
1 h
o be 1nn o ove those enormou · chi nd tiers
.
ync. 1 1 o cio e s e e s
on hí th far i 1 a ,u b ._ng a . Ofn o I av a er _ ell.
l , m go11, lls wit sti _p 1real1 ows d k ys ee chíc e s
a a ·u
•
1

·Yes M ss MaX'wei 1 • sa� e pta · Willy. 'Cer · 1 n ly'

o r ·se I b ur ou I s1 e� Ho a e o 01n
. nu ais o e , h1r loor o he aldor .
1
W car� hve f �t si oe m de or· e .-. im�1s 1 sai Ca ai Wi ly.
o - - ,.. �

Tthe cen er i ce f MaxweH' pa y1 Molly tl1 Mo .. t o�v cow that n ilk

d s d o
a ell e m e a ycl .. h su d" r Leu o
hol 1 , • t e uiy d t eh o�og�es
o e n e a s
WC ds.
Ah n h s ot e d e
1 digr e ven fll e ,mui an ous exs enc �

' . . ' .
n ·jn le 1 ca 1on� t Sln �e po[n 1n 1 íl1 -of U , s �'last'·' sta. es�
I' e est o s e s 1n . e
es rve hei M nh1 1 tan s Cu1tu o Conges 10n, deslruclion 1s

no er or fo re V tía .
 or t m sso
e are

We have s
W., a 1e n,, /. to lhe core

nJ Cass e o e

'PO
so
near he o o e .1e
ro 77 o, o .Stre o 8 -nches es
Street -ie pthi o e · , 1 �/2 i, nc.h es t . e.· s ree ' � ... "
Built 1n . , its 38 ston 1
r �ach a height o 5 4 · ·et. Large , cl
patterns of glass and brick 1 ke its exterior i crutable a ncl 11 nost j r dis-
tinguis 1 1 �am the conv n ion· 1 ,$,kyscrap . round it.
his S. · e ' O' 1 1e .. is O the S 1 y o the
Cul es ro

s
en s1s n 1 r0postng er ma
irnpose 1 ,e
ln he Dow own Attiletic ·. l 1
1
• the Skyscrap. ris used as a Con.· ructivist
Soe ia� Condenser: a mach i 11 o g nerate and i11 tensify desir bl for11·1s
of h u·m i te course.

h s o

con o h h
str
To the �n nc�al J ungi e . w· n tree. t e CI b I ases a com . n ary
progra11 of hyper-ref in d ivdiz tion, i n w� icl ·
u li spectru m ot .acili-
ties - alll o .·. nsíbly conncc ·d with ath:letics- estores tl1e 17 m n body.

152
 931 {S arre & n

ade thrs
raper as ins rumenr
op h an culture almei.::.
m IS' 11 · 11 h r1 la tr )rn su rroundm Towers.

la : a s a11

1
 /o,�er.r
:,,· 6'tl'

lan r:
n gi

�--� 17 O\f,! n A 11 1 e I i e 1 1 Ü) 5e eu 1 "

1
 Tt1e lo\Jvest flaors ar ly cor, v L na I athret1c pu rsu its:
·I

s uash and ha nd a 11 c.:o 'Wíct ed ween

locker o 1ms. B1u h r layers o the struc u e -
r h · ts i p i e n-lea
h ro t r , ries n m n.
Er o h ISI
. . iin

d
1

r b1n .
n
o 1a cu
u t e sou h lici a: J

_ pec1al acilit 1 sa e. A d e o
f th
1

the lhuman J lest1nes at rej en te

rnan by 'improvi g is
Thls inal s e b "in s the . f m cl1 ical in er erence with
1 u rn a n n at u r e , i n iti a e . . y 1 1 H y i n n oc e n t âtt ra ct i o n s as C o 1 e y

ls�and's Barreis of Lc;ve t ri ic c.;01 clu ion.

On the 12 1 ·floor r.1 swi 1 1m ,ng ool e u I e� 1 h íu 11 recta ngle·; the er e-
vators I ead aimost d ir ctly 1n o LI vi,a , A t n igh , th,e pool is ill u t77 i nated
on ly by its u nderwate I ig 1 1 1
sy t e entire sla b of water.
vvfth its frenetic sw1rnrn r , in sp ce, suspended be we· n
the erec r"c scintí 11 '.'" i,on of h W ll r ow r º nd he stars re I ected
1n the udson.
Of ali e f�oorsl e 1n tl1e · ven h - � he mos
x reme d • ng �st · Jan sca
o ·11s an os
n
e e
 tfdr4 rr
I, D o

te h I o .

n loor: , terror
-
•

• •
t� �
�

o h era as

56
 gol co _ rse i he , 1m bli r Í rn a n - ese , 1n

be I extirp - d by - , Me' opo 1 Iis ria, �1 is now esu r· e ed in he

Skyscra per s rnere�y one of it inti n �- - layers, - echn ic i servic _ · hat
sus·1 s an r fresh · t e t .Ili 1i s in thei ex us rng exis eI ce.
I

as
e
CJub has co . ond o incr ds ionahty o h
'p ograms" of ered o - each pi
eat1 restin and soci1 liz�ng· ·ey con 1n dini roo - - - WÍI h e V riety
o c1es- - e 1brar en o -

ar eo .- -o -on Ili
rect u a , , nce fio ·• on h, l 7th-sto 1 den.
From the 20tl to the 35 ·h floar, the Club cont ins 011 ly b d rooms.
·'Th pi :n i of r�mair · po t nce. b us on finar p· r o med
all e
o ai o s- - a- s
er 10n o une 1onali I distor ed by h · man ·s and o, por uni i
of e sity ·and congest11on.
ln · . 1 Dow o-. n Athl , i1c Cl1ub e eh pl , 1 ' is an a bstrac e mpo -
1
·
1

o s es o h o h s 1c pi
e- a
-e ,_ o oi, �
fl n1 ,albstract clhor. o a phy th building athl s ·sh t l ti u p an own
betw , n its · 8 Hplots' - in a s quer1ce as r ndo1 as only 1n el1ev tor
man e n m i1 � -eh e. __ ípp wit - hno-p chie app ratus o te
e
ai .. a g
an· , S ·e j Si 101 O C LI S rs IS a
1- sepc ra e J nst l�rnent o .n In rni ely unp1r 1ctabL ijntrigue '!1at ex ais the
complet · su render a he de �ni ive ins- �i y o 11,i
1, 1 .,
etro 01 :s.
1

UIIB.' 10R
. f Ir �loo - cess I b . . r1 o m n Do n o
1C b ppe.ars be a I e, er oorn 'he sjz of a Skyscraper, d - in1tive
manifestation of: those metap1I y ics- at o, ce spiri ua� an . carlílal hat
protec t e
I
ican , e aga�
1
e o ros1 o a ui ood .. Bu· t
a o o
e ,y e ai ce
s no a 11 0 ke roo bu a n i 1 u ato fo dult n I ns ri m en t 1
I 1

1:57
 r
p - 11e,r1bers-too ir·npa ien .o aw i Lh o co volut on -
wslaao maur!yby r j1g h lv w
b 'i ccordi1ng to helr in 1vi ,
B nt natu r . , Skyscra, rs s 1c nol th
ega 10n o man · -, tn o n1 es-
1 ·m de - 1
. used he
o _e unique le eis o pe o 1 e n pi h
o ditio all an ace.
·ad a s coll e i
r

h li n
ira s s.
hIe i cru b i a a o li n eh
·pe condi ion has li n h
s.
d lf egene a ion h n h flt h
o h spec er of he Bas1n G1 1

58
A m t;hin polil 1n l, 4:i •• :a

9
Mliide1lori Vrieser1 dorp Flagr n deNt.
How Perfec
e- e 1· -
i· · _ . a ---
T - e , rea · f
Rockefeller Cen er

I ge so ntlmen I when i see,

_ e o a
Fi I d Asta11 in op liat 11

61
Th . - alents of Raymond Hood

o n1 , he sphere.
i elligenc is biJit o hol ,n
. and - ili r t in
T -Up

IS 1

e.

ck _ . hode land · n
an ac u rr. o n
.e ool of eh� e
n o o o · he Ecol d - 8 �n P
- 0
4 o. lac - of a - 1n · a 1

ln 1 O e p e 1� e ore ea in° fo P ts h n h g es
1n , e h one day he will be the gr t st rchi e· k'
, , U; is h ir gro. s straig: - u _ - om : - ,s se lp I r rn r .- bl
90 , gle. The French call him ·�e· 1 ,et1 R',. y
A p 1s , h·e re uses at fírst to en ter No·· e D -· fri n, s co vi e,
hi to cl 1 k h i fiirst wi ne then to enter the cati1e
his fina I project at t he Écol e is for cLy h li in , - - w 1cli\ L I is
hds fi rs Skyscra per: a fat Tower� inadequate ly �r cl , d o I rou n d
by · i i , ocl .
H Is in Eu·ope-the Grand Tour-then _etur s to New York.
is n s uyears to hinkt hie writes; '·in N w Yor one f lls too
,fly u 1 . 1 i, of workíng without :hinkin � n e o h. 1mo nt
o won t
_, t · no 1 m ar consc1ousness.
s office I a bro, nstone a 7 1 s 42n
s h s ai e.ase
ice 1- gold. but he o e ou· and 1 1 e s

ood r d cora _ · h p ba 1 o p 'C - p-j

...2
 e e ac·k in the waH rmigh up- 11 Ho1
o,v 1e · he era k.
j,obs: Hood supervjses the · 4
1 1 ov 1
·01 1 one
o, no e
1 he abs nce ·,y a le 1 11
( 1u1b
ee

1 · e a o· o h .

1 e

o r es ar n

r o
ob li

'
V lv e S yscraper dee n �
y L 1 busí r's ti s: 1
ao . To ards N 11 1tectur · th
n 1 ' l1 y or o s.

1 creet- pnvate the·ory abou t ti e Skyscra e. 1 u· ows t 1 in

.

M n hat e , i wou lcl be unwise to adm it it.

1 n his vi. ion · h 'f u·- u 1r Man hatta n is a City of (owerr:; �, -1y modified
v n;i n f what already exists; instead of the ru hless ex � usjo1 01 -rbl�
1.r y i ivldual plots; large,r sites witl1in a b�ock w�II be , ssemb� d j· 1 ew
buil. in er tio s. lhe space around lhe Tow �r wi ·1 i1 h lo l;(S will
e I f u buil ,. -o t a each lower can rega,in its i i' y m, s r.
ct, pure skyscrap.ers can �nsinuat- t: ,s elves
1 ·r:i·ctly
1

1 ·_ rk o " th 1
G rid a d gr - . u ri e í y w i J o ut
r - H od'Ís City o To e s wiU tanding�
co· - g ed�'es _ de accessible y h, · r ui 1 17 o · id
a I n,a a·· .
 GOLD
Soon after burldin . h,, C ic , ri un To e H1 ood1 i s asked to do h1s
1

flrst Skyscrape in N Yo k, t! 1 re n 1 1at0ir , u· ing. on a lo

facin Br· , t P rk
-
ln e standa d 'saiu 10 plic ion of e s1 1 e as o en
-
as he zo ge vei p · o uch a To · r ou
a a bl'n a11� s
1' B shri roa e
e s · C O 1

C-ISS

e e

h e
e s
and
la
· s e -s all con
cs as TI u a is ea u e
1n a uilding is e e11 · 1 lt s ímula 's pu rc
in res and a mira ion ine con r"bution o a chi­
1 cture enhances h nd ·s profitabl to the owne
í tl1e sarne m an I r s ot e f n1 1 e i i1ma: e adv rtising. 15 1
�

GLOBE 2
ln 1928 Colonel Pa so owr e· ily News_ com·es to Hood. He
wants to buHd printing works on 4?nd S r e com inecl witt1 a negligíble
amou nt of office space for his - n Ot'" s,
Hood calculates that a Skyscr p. r wo li 11 ti , tely be cheaper. H e
designs the second 'f r · n of his · o l ow,er (u n be kri ow-r1st to his
cHent) by 'j provi g' thc t th rou y1 ldi 1 t h f n mi d b I oc k s tri p t h [ s
Tower too ca have indow · it Ili wo ld ot e ise be blind, ra s
tormín . chie p Jo t pa S1 ff�c ,ccommoda io .
s , e he goes e ein fu h rs h consum-
mates ere s o er s1g a e rcu r
. .
spac 1n c1 a I of lac
a. h·c 1s s un ro n 1n las ir

6
 p OF
D y_

sal

ce ro e

.. o nd o� a
Manllattat

10
a osa� o od"s.,
As çornple11 , t1ar1 fl r posais
e)rbet p· oj

1 n 1

1r1Hrnate, s 1
S s �raper
�

6
Slucly n1odel o l1e 11 ... t ning envelope ly N ews Bu ilding, secr d r l u l r he
on the Dai 1 · N evv� s - , 1 e 2 . u I t i� a shílpe hat Ci y f owers, hal w�y 1n �I l ron1 the crude
he l;:)w pui� ln lhe ...,rc� 1 e ' 1 �1n I·�. He can o 1 , , e ,f � 1 P z ) n m g e n v e! o e: rl.: y 1 , e i n
11

a d d no I i n g to �t: b t I e , v r: y t in d et. a i l as 1 n l·o I ract ,cal onn ..."

1 wis �es_ � . .'' (Ferrls , l� ,
J r I! ,,r
orr orrovv�·
e snd p oto b V,l ll , lh rn, .Jr.)

> i ly N ews Builrli.ng. de 11 1 wra 1. o 1 1.

68
 ce as -1 n 1 r a
o -
Ba be i , o º'
ven sr rkly in h -li ce·11n abov i h
understan 1 1 p 1leasu F1_ rriss de e 1 es he D1 ny 1N ws lobby in I i s 1

Metropolts ot � 01Ttorrow.
f er al:I h -di mensi
_1
1
U1 ky

he pi e of e ar-
. sera r

clu
oce ce. ecau o
e lead11n · , nt of h , ª"apse of 01 os1 1ons
1 i Manh tt 's
r u e a m1 bit i . . Th e I ob y is " e t, a p I o f Ma n ha tt .. n is nn . ( H oo d f1 � 111 ,e I f e o n �
f sses h N pol,eon s 0i , in L s �1nv I id ,s i·s ode� for e ur1 ken
ins aHa ton

( 2 r o e es oe nl
ana i . as h epares ase e o Ci y o To - s. 1 .

T e bui�d111g co,mn10 1 . three e, o i s of a 1 1

1rv1 y tha co1r .. pon d
to the s t cks of i s sect ian: pri nt, ng works in th
I ase, lof t sp ces for
book pro, e ion in the 1i, d�e ando fices in the , n er sha, -
su 1ted - · ao p d ,o h v n f e I i ng o � col or:
s d eUo 1
e7
. Si

o
Te ea o a li one
f in o , h zure o
o rea1lize ower s p . nce, on o Hood 1 s as i t, n s
checks ti a ion of single li i s fH wit I i n -h·e overaU , roject
disapp nce ., - , wnoc lar r mi o. 0s e e 1

co s e
o 1 •

r -e . The
pa1n· almost . he m ·ndows a e 1 ,' �nted
n apple­ n colar.... A I rro'w ba n - of vermil/iian i painted on I e
f e, of tl1 jarnbs of ·· · windaw d across th face of I h meta�-
covered pi. . Verm ilUon I t o u ·. e · 1e under i e of the h tz tal I 1
 li 8 u Ili d i 17 g 19:31:
1

, lanism raging insidP- the

7
 ----- .

projections on he pen L ous front en rance. The gold. n

co�or o· th. - w11 l1e en s the coai tone o t _
buiiding. They - _ v , n v r i a I s i pe j n h e corn e r
tying hem into th g·. eme. T eir colo ·s .an unusually
im, ,ortant elem - 1n · e
• he en nc s eel ba ds na
dar blue a d by e ai , u I es ed
s1I e a old. e - o corri ' a h
i s ee s el na - - e
ss s n.

r an a
h e

se. 1s
a- 1 10n no ne 1n e m1·d-. e - i -- a as r
co ·o se H n s con re - at·o1 ha · an s
-o __ 11 . he e
The congrega ion e and h· si e as an
e - remei ,s -1e _ ot only _o b ild 'he
greates eh rch in 1 - bi 1e i i h reven e prad cing
enterprises 1ncl , I 1 . n
- ·r mIen house w;� h a
s· imming pool - 1 nd so n. , 1r1 ·e· lev 1 ·1 .ouild b·e s ,ops to b in.
i high rentals, a d in tt e b 1: _ m nt. th Irarges garage in Colum , s
,Qhio� Th _ garage w s ve y im ar 1 •. -caus . in giving hi·s congrega Jan
a place to park t ir ca s a comin - to work weekdays th,e. pastor
wou ld indeed 1ma ke th cl u r - · e nt r of the1 r lives .....·,
The pastor hacl t�rst gon-e o 1 - lpl Ad ms C am, a traditional church .archi-
tect, who reject d him, _- ci llly i I d1i _ na · abou the· suggested garage
1
'There wou ld be · o . ·oo_ fo - e - s - .cause this noble structu r,e wa,uld be
construc·-ed on remendo s .. ha would support [ít]
· hrough ai! t�me a· a mo, u 11 , i f i �h.'
1• _ ew York- Hood - is 1 . ·. �-1,e cannot go bac:k : o h 1e
businessmen to t, H · h mi ti s 1· ent will be complete�y occu ied
by pie s 1nstead o ca s
od eass s hi ·T Cr m i - a he as no aith
in God� 11 e ·u be ea -es e u ieh in
orld. 1 m1 cand s o es
OU - Sir . h r e il b - t e s ga a

17'
 e n h
er,

s, 01 iõ, 927.
bla ant: cfr ectJy 5HJ

roorn or < n ly a t7 d o r ít: • 1

e a qllc. Si-aULO . rTI lJ ", V 1

12
Christendom1 becalJS,e li will1 ild y · e rch on toot - picks and h:ave
faâth enough 1n G1od o b.li p !I , '�
For he fi st tine 1
00 'O k on li ip rpos 1
. ild�ng. �ndifferent to
pro ramma ic hi r e y h p r s of the Mo n L ain o the
necessary unctions. 1i r e s h oj e - o f loor
Ca e ral and 'h only b inches of
co cre · - 1 a r ahz 1 tiis esen ,e inal

ica Se 1s s
te e cone o
1i

d e 1 a e llea·· es
a' C IZO

1 ps.
er
-- asy-pra ma I s n s ambi 10n - ea 10 o
co ges ion on all oss1b · le
ao d s h ·· · or� 1 . av u �1 ss 1an - e pec1a 1
1

im - hopeless y e 1 1v1c ing a chi ec ura�

Se eh 1eraza e. hoid n I h 1 , 1-e 111 n n tllra J . ith hís .l j OOl ai y
ah:!s of ph.ilist�nisn1:
''�Ali this beauty stu f is bunk� '·Cons ently, contemporary archi ec�
1

' '

ure is disclosed and ' s e lisl e - s lo ic. 1 • •

Or, almost po ,tic: , 1 is af im y i1 portance 1 because on the

,n oor are pe.rtormed all t he act ivities o · ,e h u n1an occu pants. h • •� n
When Hood concludes f1is tal W'i· h a · · scrip· iún of the ideal architect
that theoret�ca� �, iman r p . s 1tiv o Ma. ,1 attanism who alone
can explail the averl etwe bu inessm n 1 s fantasies of practical'i y
1
and the architects dr, . ms a . ui ure of Conges ioíl - he ís merely
describing the env11able opo r · hí ow personality:
"'The architect of aesthe· �Cél 11 le b ild1 ,gs n11ust possess an ana�yt-
ical a· d rogica y .· · o n rin 1� . v k o· 1 d. e of a�I I he e�e en1 s of a
bu'I in :- nd o i s p rpose ncl unction" p ssess a li el imag· a io n
a tivat • · ính r n s o o m p p ppropriaten· ss and calor*
poss -ri o d . p nd nce dete mina 10 1 n-
- .
ra o n�s 1 • s 1n s
 s . SI 'S n h ºª
.o ce

P __ O TIO
e C ty of To e
�nt g 'e schrsm1 o : he church/garag , Hood unde,rtake w more
theor ic I projects.
Th '.. y · 1 , re a premonit1011 of a new age co ined in th · · xt . 1 ola ion of
1 h- 1 s as hey · 11e 1, 'ed onto a con i1 uing devot10 .XIS 1ng

o ic infrast . e _ e . fusal on any 1par 0 1 h ag1c

h . Gnd as eco oo . n o ap
h ai - n! e s·.
e 1� 1

.. _ - s a 10 . .. . il

Acco o h I o sei -i _ u hizophreni 1

· e --- li resen ed s ns er o · h e n · ii" on it ís e to 1

ex c,ei, e: The grow h o c1 res is g, · in · beyond control.. kyscrapers

1

creat co11gestjon. S w ys are bu ílt r s i!ti ng � 1 rnore skyscr pers a nd

so on iti I ascendi11g s1 ir 1. Where w·�u i nd? Here is lle nswer... _ri

IHoo , ows.
lia ed commu s 1n ,e cl'y - co munitíes
1 1es ar d .as. ho
e
1 o

E e i n ss a i e· . y m us · h a
1 ha a a.
it · o L 11 d i n g . e h is o f � e e is I oc
1
I t is o . ar d
this i I i rm:s and rei it cts shou ld wo k ....
''Whol i11clustries should e united into in erclependent ev l:opments with
cl,u s,, h1ot ·Is, stores . p r r ents and ev heater.s. Such n rrangeme
woull 1 e· possibl
1
.· 1 econon1ies 11 ' i · 11s weJI .· u ish wear
and · o· 1 , an � Pu he o in a u 1ified a d he ITT d
ar s de ai entIre a
.a

en 1 ,on.

s
T 1 t s me y ·. ar, Hoo. � . 'Velops his the is o he City ith�;n City fu rther.
1

ln his roject �tManh 1.t n 1950

1
· ev n rnore en1phati . bo the
ii., -

1 7' ·
 Hood ...A Ci wl ,j h I e 8 �d·ng is devoted. ',A otk
u, , , r f iors ... .' Hoa ;-s ec n h
s he orrn ta o
uc lam-er n
th li 1ta on

reac es
es h a.

75
''Manhattan 1950; collage '·lsland throws out
tentacles.... Blrd's-eye vlew of the Manhattan
of 1950 wl l h l ls ranges o1 Skyscrapers over
transportation llnes anel the mountam peaks of
lnCIL1stry over eac l 1 entrance. The gre.1l bridges
e1npty 1nto business centers... .'' Hood's th1rd
"tl1eorv"- for a deHnitlve Manhattan -is a
variation 01 1 lhe ,;City under a Singl e Roof"
l hemo.
: a proposal to break through the
Congestion Ba1rie1 by t l1e carefut implantation o1
1hc new mega-scale of autonon1ous, n1an-made
universes on the exlsting City. 8y this tlrne.
Hood·s success ln blurring the disl'inction
between prag111at1sm .and 1deallsm hact h1s con
Lemporarles utlerly confouncted. How could a n
176
allegedly stra,ghlforward ;iccornmodalion of
business mlercsls-H1e slmple exlrapolation of
irnplac<1ble 1en,1oncies-generate suc11 art istic
irnages? "These v1slons place the1r e1nphas1s
upon the lncreasing concentratlon occl1rri11g in
Manhattan. To the extent tl1at they app;Jrently
follow the charo1cttlristic growl h
' ol lha clty 1l1ey
may be consicl ered praclical rat11er l l 1a11 vision­
ary. Only m great11ess 01 scale anel boldness in
employ1nen1 of bri dges ,nay they 1,e judgecl
skeptically. Their implied acquiescence, 11ow·
ever, to lhe principie of Congestion ln c1ty
growth detracts conslderably from I heir value
as Utop1a11 schen,as... .'' (Crc,il,vc A1ls.)
 a ac SI a an- ro o
a reg eason. i plan ia I of on e o n oca 10n
wit h i ri �1 1e G.rid. A otal of 38 Mountain· ,re posil101 ed on t inters c-
tion.s. a · 1· ernat venues e d he wider streets f he Gri r ·ughly ve y
e i

en
act e a
s l
ou t I n o e a I id o ac
co · f
across ,h inte sec· 110n an gi d uallly I i ace do. 11 1 o ard 1 pe u11 1
r
where like the 100-story buildi1 g J' they connect with the re, · i11ing tr-
o f t he ol r u rb a 1
Sec n en : s
1 e
r h
anh nsga
The 'Manhattan 1950'' proJ ct propose speci � lími ed LI ber o
Maunta i n . That �n i· se I f is roo tha t new phase of Ma h · n isn1 h
beg n. · nowa a ha

B, , 1�
T e pa o i ai i i n · sol . e n · · by r
s g. es heoir t1cai ass 11 1p 10 · t 1 t there exi
;cong ion arri 1 ·

1By airni� for a n w arder of lhe coloss 11 one woul I break lhrough thi
barr"er sudd · ·ly erTier. i I com et.e·ly se nd sil · orld, w
li ªcal an nerv .. cki t
a s.
.e
s aJlo a cl i ec u � T 1is Gi y I pe ore s n
l'hat 'h ' , ild ings hou 1 · evet b repi e '. Tn e ene calm o heir
exte ior · � ens , . ti, rou g I e G rea, Lo otorny. t 1nside wl ere th.
Ver ical aU po e I an l 1f is 1

s a e a1
a ·. n
s
T e t s defin e · 1
·me �. Man ,a an an 1 n wi h
escap , Ma11hat n with 01 iy �nterior pi easu re ..
After Manha, I' · of C·ha g. ', a Man, tt n of P
T ese
r
all . e ea í f a
a
n

77
Alll1 ,h1 , Rockefelle Centers
1

A ns r h en U ·s o he abstra ·.
etn

oc e r- 1n o
o ble o o nh 1 m

co e n ,es n

_ aI a e po
ss ch1tec s uilde s e ne r
- all have con ribu ed some f · o- h
, n om - 1 ei ·magination. 17

Rocke 1eH r C 1
, ir �s a mas erpiece wijthou a ·, n 1 •

Sinc no - i 1 1- cre·a ive 1r11 nd is respansible o i s d 1 ,i �v .o m h

- 1

co e i n. i and reaLrty o·f Rock efeUer Center 11 v 1e - · e 'i

I
1 rp _ ed-
in ti,-- l1 io11 ,I measuring system of archi ec ur- Ir judgm nt s -n
·O ate co,mpromis an exam1ple of architec'.ur 1 • 1 y co1 mi ·.
Bu M h ta11's archit cture cannot be measured wi I co v
�, - . tru1 _ n s; 1 ey give absurd readings: to see Rocke li r C. t r . s a
com rom'i- · is to be blind.
Th es -ence and strength of Man tiattan is that li i ·s , rch i:
is y e 1m1mi te�' and that the commiittee is M. nh ,t s i1 n
lv s

Roc .� ·lle C nter ·s a sear , b g n in 1 26 r

· e ropoh an 0per , . 1

e r o,dyss y he h o e ical o
1e e e Op
e 1 a est o 110

,8
 he car11pa1g11 o spec.1rkatio
ov / or ··Design by Com, 1tt a.'
1 s o i. l\_ cl 1 it e ·s and d ev,e lopers
pi _yl W! 1. r ir a· tw r Ce nters. "Sta dm
v
. O. 13 o vn r Webste odd enry Hofrn ist r,
S. 1 obertson. Seated: Harv@y V/il .y
1

1 1 1 yrnond 1 _ood, Jol R. Todd,

A11 Ir w R i, hi1rcl, Dr. J. M. Todd."
 etropol1rt�n
'C f Iler

hn D.
1 1r u r. 'foo
O lic pam i was
rivate
1 � a o � resu rected
r CA Builcl g.
 . . .
o · s s
� ts. a rc h i , ec sta 1 e ed to a nd
l
11

� ha tan ecom 1 i . r
1 he e
- .
r1 e 1 o

an eo e r is n d
or
n 11 a n ·y o · ca 1 co me·
55
super mposr11ons he e he o 1 on . pt co a ps
Jrk
n their weight�
1Hed
The Oper,a S tr jec ·ory ·s from a site on 57 Str b tw,e·en Eighth 1
1
�1 e .

Ninth avenue r W' r H can exist on i s own i s�urn to a loca ion o

Columbus Circ�e w e i is already incor1 ora into a Skyscrap
Final l,y sor11 e i 9 8 IMorr�s discov r ee· block site own. I

by Caiu 1 ia Univ1 ·etwe 1en · · h Six I av I es and be

48'h ai 2n s
heme on s in
o a

se 1 a a pa
Ope a.

l ,ET
the Wtien thi:s se m �s off1ciallly unveil d 1 • he, M ·, 01 olitan Club l w a
members h v nsored rts d,es1gn l John O, ocke el!er� Jr.. b gi s o
as
ake a n inter .s .
:.cled
Tlle Opera does na· h, ve the n1eans to co11 ruct i s own new 17ead-
q uarte rs� 1 alo, in nce the su 'O ndin ou t in ang of wh is t
be he Large t i -g operat�on e e, Cw n Manhattan.
Rocke e 1 le o e esponsi 1h . o r plannin n
ac ual e on.
li· e e s · 1 re

o
as

18
 - r as burlt is
� e., ,e Re 1n ,: rd
' o Rock feller

1s.1' 111 ·
s �co qu s " by --1 rc h1 ectu ral
1

r1 cl F o t 11 11 11 lc det · li - li s 'l w genius of

1� ck ,lell ,I C r1
 o sei a1 ons1 e o pr s
imensions o he oject�
He is o s ssed wit:I the proc ss af building. I sus .·· ct he alw ys had H

suppressed desi1r to drive a ivet,' 1 is how N'elso ockefeBer i,agnoses

h� - a 1

T aie nt es J e a

ai on·, o, h cou e e com

. nd lnvolve r d hi I e!f in all 1t rc 1 hltec I detail1 s.
Si rn u lta __ ously wi �1 Rockefe 11 r Center, h 1s pre pari ng the restor.ation af
Cotoniail Williamsbu1rg; one e e prise i _ h fabric �on of a ·e
o e - in a collaps1 - ';h ·
o n s en e
e o e (1
o 1e 111 ·. · eg10� 0'1 ·e our� o "'ule
tlim,. o eh ck the s aliest d I ils of the em,erging roject, occ sionally
in sisting on he add ition o· s i ri ua I det ils such a . he Goth ic coratio11
_ the · o of .he · · síiab a su ges1 ion accep ed arch1 ects
b ca s a a I alo · , 1 a e I e �

,rE,
e Todd h 1 �s own chi ec· s R 1 1nhard n, Hofm.
: s 1 : , bo h y oung an 1

�ke •
·1 nexpen nc ed
· ..
li
W�th th, m he· ser I in'zes Mio iri .' propos I
ln ig . of he par · ox o m , i·
ed u, h
e e 1 sa o n e
1 �o c·a1 r es 1s· i - l1 e . rc ode. e
� o .h Fe S-1 oo ou tain - he con i, · at1on o 1e d.efi · '1v ·
1 ai Manhatt n - Morris' ro�ect r wi h he pi s em p' in ss as i1 I
s center,
f
i like th cr ter of extingui' hed volc ·no.
in a ges ure of co ·. ercial an metapho i1c r pa·r To d a d hi e -
· s 1 a O O JC -1 .
T 1 r
li la r s1ons ar vana 10n u
·
·o ·er a e cent r ur smaUe i owe s o , he corners o h . h,e
1
s!,runk _ 11 remnants of Morris p�aza siurvive only jnso ar as tf1 y acilitat
fur her pi nning.
the n a en 1 grilm o in e H od�
e a - s
a s
CR
Ca e a s e
�al
co an h1 m
pe s - con I n of a n ropolltan O
beco and more 1mp L�Si'ble wll1le I m1 and fo ype, ot
offíce sp th e scl1er11.· P' ov�des a�so evapor· ... t · s. Yet Rocke · 11 �r has
sígned r 1 ,.._ e that sti pula es p yn-1ent of $3.3 n, illion a year to Col u 111 bia
Unive si
er h 1
· all pre ic ia - and o th - u-. s
a d pos ibl nl he Cen
ssa o so

r 1 ou a1 •
er 1. �es str - he Grea 1 m e er i1c 1 1 h sr ,
real-esta e leu at,ons t h ve been ge since he tw �nr. o
prov · · he i111 oss·ible - a-11d th re is a cans ru tion industry s ·. cialized in
buildi· i,
Fiinally is the doctri I o M nhattan1s creatio1n o· 011 . es ion
ai po 1 1 veis.

s
s s . r

-hou g
o p ete h e o ac s ln L certa�n e I er
h re s-mply ar o de ands pi �,cal nece -
to tJe n1 e t - i s h o rt, no �- e ts t f1 a t e ou I d co 1 on1 i se t h e p 1 1 i: y a f t 11 e
cone ptia . 17 financial risis guarantee,s t Center�s tlleo tic 1
1nte ri
has o cho· e u
e I ai..
m a
e o

_ES
For ao , o efel er Ce -st o h 1
0c nnel h g1 S . O
es a b I i S h i _ d t �7 e i d [ V j d LI a I CO m f17 rtted t ,O i .

184
fjl �1:ave and I sup o eve y, rei i"e t ha, done things of which I was
not 1en, irely c ie ai . Q,n � l uil' in 01 era ·on some, hing ,
risked o· 1 he sake o' ex on a wu hun ed f� y ·11io
dev elop
1
e and ec or man 1n e
u ur s ca
la
a h,e ·s is ·n hi
e success o oc
1n m ns

ai
a
1

CO- -PET TIO ·.

h · · inn1- h -.--..-.._..�--s s as ed
pn a e 1n co ·s pio e ea
ov rab n an u 1 • or r ial inc
he dia r m · e o om h e bers�
lhe t · o mos· f oci. cts Co be· a H o
he on'y heo e ici s ro , r ro ct , ea fier., aborte
projects.
Corbett sees a chainc �n �y to i os 1s . 923 traffíc/ísl,and me ap 1or o
cure congestion by urrning M, n n in o a 'very modernized Venic :
Ferriss· renderings bri1 11g 011ly I Ven tia elements of Corbetfs scherne
i nto sharp focu s: a B ridge o· �g s pa 11s 49th Street San ��arco-1i ke
colonnades and a str a a shi1 y I ck lin1ou.sines 111onopolize the atten·
tion. The other o tlin f I chem dis ppear in a n1ist of charcotl
pa rtic,les.
'Cor.bett's Rockefelle C r loc e o syr1th tic midtown ,Adriatic,
redeems a subcan ciiou p, iam1 1 , d -s long ago as D eamland�s
Canais of Venic

1 · TERSECTI 01 ,I
.
od's p o osal oo i on o s1s, n e o s o, e 1on ..
ince he t r e 1s I en 10 1 a mpla
o e of · s rn e a- 1 l

. 5
 'Dev�
sec
e n

opohta e O e ·a. 1n
L Corbe 1, cui · is cornpl 1
P rsiste11ce widtJ or 11 1 50th
for s l.ead
ís fJ an o sfde e r ne,-
o I access o r cessed lob I s

n ed
. d" the o._ n O',va1
1e se paii 11 of ve h i e• p rgolas. TI whole arrE111
u.lar a, 111.; -ass1gne lo lhe groun nd •• cl rcur fer n"i I pLa.za
í r
ped í I s, f r ,,-, ho ' e ates co I lllUOILIS S �i � h statíon r
1 a cad p o

186
--- ---------------� -

o m

access o cov
S Ua e O l SI e O

87
B w d1 J i d

1 n·r� O lê.! �,s rDrn

D e, n li 1v� L pro 1c:c 11
t•

1 v I or pedes
ity of t e
l1e
1. a or cor
rs m-. re- r;
se e
af:erna
on e cen e
bridges Cfi a
n o
- -------- -------=------

• 1 1 '(

íl 1
11 1·the proposc Is� like 'Lof & Of ice scl1em
on 3 w York Blocks'1 and lle plans for V
JI , Ce ter­
perblo.J
ali e

er
 • . . .
:'f- G i,d an ar ICI 1 1n· s ct·o t o 1a, on co - nect its fo co
.
he -a IC ·sho
' •
IS
.
ap ied 1n hi S� On his a ai
.
oss1n ' p e our par pea ha 1 e rac s o a
e -
_,. T pe co ,C
........

co a o o s s
·. ro sal o
- n n .

B ',I
l
B·e ore he Ce er I e lf � he mos wmpr - ·v e e I o od .
.s. archítects,�, n ,w _ ,mlbled as , he Assoei , A chi ects - Reinh , _1

he Hofrn1eiste:r; Corb_t Ha-rrison & M·acM1 rrr y· H Godley & Fouilho 1

is the theater tli y d sign to accommod e t e ca1mpaign of
speciification.
1 ts purpos · is no lle fastes· possible d: term i n .. ion of ai I he det i'ls
of the Centierr 1u1 ,, on h1e contrary, th 1 e po · on - ,n, nr of its tina/
definition , ,o , he �as o sib�e momen' so - li e concep of · he Cen
re · ains an o n ri a ca absorb any 1d , 'I a rean inc e

sa ar an z do, n
s a r

cs
les·
coll, ec- · e b -ain ing ser ed i
: he- coHecti e m. 1 ri .. ne e i e ural sculp o
and the d li11 1 ors of Dra ing Roam he, ill-f u1d con. ep s o
the ·designer , ai rov11s�1onal e·mbodimen , o t' · 1t h y can make u 1 11 c
decísions.
On th,e . loor b low, co,nn -cted only by ,a small spi ai staircase t
professional sp ci ica ors are arranged in a · ri of ab�es in Draftir"1g
Roam #2� 1Here ,1 -011ing erive,fope is dis1 an 1 d into separate frag
ments num1ber d 01 o , hir een each 1 1 i s o n team of supe· viso·
a d tec 1nicians T 1, · ans�ate the id �a bo-v 1in o preci e
ar d a h ill be s . bmi _ed o ,ase h u n e b uep in
o
o e s h

e or s s e,
Ccntsr·s IJu�k w. ragrn � n ls that
,i:::tt 21 le tea s of
l111eators.
 1 od. t�al ace K. H-arriso ;;in
ew R 11 hard: ·· he a e I ects o ock�lell r
n as hev i nspect a pi aster r-nod el ot
�, M i. on Fr e nç�isP a 11d -11e B ritjsh Empire
...'' t..shh r:iy-1 �P. obj ects on ped estai a e
rn d Is r ur, alr in nken plaza.
 r Je ed
rrr �ves for e
1n n or uga o
ª' o

194
f om w'h lch a conference report can be carried on with an t.11e su bs at io,
a · h,e s me - · e.
E s a I n 1 a e
sys em 1s corps o s .·; h, trans1mi 111 ero1 1 e m mor. 1
a·J
and con ,e, enc not · • " 2- writes Watlace Har -�son · he fu u rist • an - gerH
o e e 10 .

i
MA 1 RR lAG 1 E
The re�1 ec ion o 1 erso 11 projects i favo of · e d 1 - a1m stablí he '
s ca
e cr comi 11 e's me llanics - .he coUaps o ,hilis 1nism i o
cre. tivity - h seem for o _ce; ·ree from d isingenu ousn ss. Far frarn 1

· d1c p rs 1s 1p '1n am co - , in ed b, ob o
a s s
an an lfysis ll1e,ads o hon. sty nd
a e ns a1 e· 111c �

grity a· des ·.gn. U nder thts sti ··t la 10n , th,.. cobwebs o whi· sy - aste,
-
d . h, d are • e.· d� hí
.Éac e h sse as d 1 J e a a a rc e
and real eau 1
1 22

110 espo , si le f-01 · he nt i i1 í I diag a. r í is o . iou a 1

DO·d
iQ·· o a e
sop IS servi e o
'
. atio, , , oo 1s ie mo · e , -e 1v
rnember of th � committee. He sp aks al I th _ diff,er nt '!ai guages' r pre­
• s e b r .
r s s · 1 e cost o e -
irn hL11es one, Hood ali.ate , lby s 1ggesting ·'11ey e ver 1t with corrug : ed
1· ro
·• 1 · p a· 11· t1 e·d , o. co u.. s- e 2 _,i

o. a t · 1· es o
(Pe ps ood ·ea 1 · oes p -e e p n e i on 7
lf · he committ Js force : marriage 1 .· tween ca i ai and ar-_ lt is a
m1 1rr1ag·. a - erl ·. co I mm,._ ed

SIE--E
Ou· side Rocke1 _ 1 ler C nter·, j bra i i- 1
r �gns Gr De ressio · � th cos
o o h 1 __ a a ria .ee h o .
o loors e ro o
tnbu e 1d s, s rvices and · nd uc s to . h e r·e liza 10n o'_- he Mountain.
Wi h the - co 1u y d perat and the C ,nter one o t 1e o ks i
ss fr 1rr
a e re on fo e om ee o oid p em1a u e de in1 io · he lon, 1e ·

95
 1r ·me •1 s are
ron 1n i · 1 s on ., s 1it;'
to orr 1 i lsh
biu ld1 on 1
n �

l
 hey pos, pone non n l 1 h more the answers appear to
them 1n the orm of luxu- i ossi le be ore.
They appoint Di ·ecto of ' · th�s . nexpected o · n 1alt.
Thus e Ce r con 1nu _ .· i e t I e usual , roc o
a e itrect :ra i li he 10 izo o
Roc e Ue .com each ag n
s u a d 1s e - se
ro a
hi. de eC
IS s e

e· AEOLO

u s
1 a e 1 rs
es co
cal se ara
a e 1 e a se os
are e lo p o h1

p
The mos p·omine k Hood. ave be ark
by ' e tea 1 i g · of cole ith ·t e 1ance o axe
1
v·s as and h .10 f n s ag ins a bac ground o
neu ra urban abr�1c. u v y one o hese oc rin s is
�nval'da ed an deni, y N w Yo k s Gnd.
The Gri· d assures v ry e cc mrodates exactly the. sarne
trea' ment-th am. ou1 t I ucligni �y.'' TI· sanctity of private owne -
sh1p and it.s ir, bu i�t esis 11c o ov r U form � contrai precl ude tl1e crea ..
tion of premeditated p r iv s� n in the city of the Automonurn n ,
the isolatton of syrnboUc I jec, m ti n1ain abric ís m,e.aningless·
the fabric itself is ai e ·. y n ccumul riun of monurnents.
ln New York t .e B, · _ux-A ili y can only go where there is na

I Rockefe 1
IJer Ce 1ter' 'ls a trad ·tiona 1 1 B, a ,x- · rts
compos-t·on · in � y n: b ne istas
e ln1inate not in h Ope a but in
sub a e' an g es a rs e
su rreptitio s co lous oid
a ove ro d· a n 1 O
 1 '1 1 1 1
i 01,ec1
1: U nde.
� JJ] li]] m 1·
Ili J�
cnncours I basem
J
-Q
1 1'1lllll
: JJ,.
face indep n en 1
1,
1 1 1 • 1i• 1 rn Ccnt r 1
� ,,

li
·tmnm
oma1 - o
ff 11
1- dime •i ona 1.
- ...•ª
li

�- -.. . .._
'-

l.
�
rn�rr
'
!l&I
�
---
·� f,0 _, ll=. 1,/ :1 li
-!:!
�§�..
.,. rr �
;
,. .

��
,,

�
l
'

rrifUt �� 1

!
-

" ...
UI 11 lt 1----;;_ ,•••
1
-
"� '111'
;
,'
""� �"·
,,.
; .,.

rr
' '--

� ....
,, j, iJ
>-�

ii TI n. ri

e
si alL
 · · e ast of' · e com1pos1 10 he sun en plaz ne _ o 1,. es he
ra nsi io·n between I e su rface of ; he _ rid and he B aux-Arts
1n, ric · 1es n . r e .h í .

PRO. CT 1

2
The O I vel of the pr sent Rockefeller Center- • omrnated by the RCA
1lobb R us1c I
aU L a - r s i1 ca 111 · edL e d ver ·on of m �eh

he la s or ·h. a ar disc · ded . h

e. rapo· an O
Associated Arch itects cont11 ue to con si er thi,e, ers. They design
ersions o a · nta ic g:ro nd floor en ,r ly occ pied b mo e and more
1 e s. a ·
• _ 1 r 1 _ ha, s a . _a1 . 1 .·· I_ _

e· iles o projec ion e eens a i d . ·r . o ance

wl1ere seven or eigh spect eles can unforrd a, 'he s me time, how,ever
co,ntr , 1 ctary - eir m ss.ag s m .
! oe.
o s s s e _ d oc . s i_ .9 a·
50 - 1
-,-1 ee s I e_, ec li es he ·ers · .· in ..o cin 1 he sirn1 1 a e
of clash1ng p rform nices. This 'metropa 1 l1 itan lounge wil'I turn the separate
ud�e·nC'es i1ni,'o a sin �,e· fan 1 · ,sy-con:sumi g bo , a t- por ri y yp ot11z ,
co 1 '"
a· ec, . n _S o I i C
iC · e re se · ec se- lu a Pa . an
Dream 111and. 1 i;s ex. ctly wit · a, ·h - meg lom,an e ambition of t�1e defini
1
1

tive M nhatt n o w. o rovid , his kind of escap a m - ropoli1 an

DI -
1 · o ·. s o · a
e ca e s e. 12 · n e ced· a io e, .
Musmc Hall is I s las. bast101n, a m .,.asur e of its .· mbit�on, 1 1 1

h ·r , . · h n s r. r 10
site in , e e d1 y Sk scrap:e rad1 .1on of s, 1 1ee, mu�'t�plication o surf ce. ri
is a volume u npenetr. Jed by dayl i ht airtifici .lly Ht · n ven nated .nd
1illed · i · e · ip _ lic pace .
- .,
,s e , _· ar s · a
pa ion o stra i, h , o,rward 1, plica · on s of he G r 1eat Lo o, omy; i fi in
perfect occup nt when th,e Radio Corp.aratiion o· Am r ca an , its sub
s1d'ary BC ig pas· n so eCene C , s he,sf1a .BC
, � lo
T 1e I ional Broadcas in. Com ." n:y _ JI occu y º '" , en _y·s1x bro d-
casting studieis in this buildlng ... supplemen . · by six aud1ition room.s. 1

On . s u io, th lar e in - e or - ·11 be mo e han re . s ore ·

199
11 i ,1 • . • A lil li u ias will be eiectr�cally shielded I d p ovid. 1 witl I ui -
b I e I i li i t g , e l li I s f ar T, 1 ev is i o n . ,M an y of t h e rn wi 11 h ve o 'Se v i o
g 111 ti ors.
� ou s. .. up, ,a 01 nd a central cont ol aorn 1
il 1 us i0'

ro u ·ons. T e ac o s UI 1n
cr d scen s i 1 be s ,age
.
ects IS la o
ap ai o
s 12

ca 10 o
- no

s a 1- ·. o
iH si s
IS O s.
k ,elle e
n 1 n co -
.
1

10 on on o SI e: ble . u· a 1n rac_

1p 01J e
f , r pro ec, 1s he resuscr a ion · f he ori In 1r m 1 0 t 1

s1 no occu pie by · e c.ente-r. on the oofs f t 110 • �1

s, o r D vi o ,ck, bot.anis . es ablis e he 'o

nti ic hor· icur urol enclave w1th an experim nt I r
·fill he . r e n � wi h pia nts rom an par s of � e wo --�cl Ir· 1 ucl i1n
1
l 2 �000
du llc te1
fro, the labo ratorium o· L�nnaeus, r nowned
1
W1 d1 .h
bc·
O n ly 1 .Q yec rs 1 l e 1--lood convinces Todd _. wi· h 011 _ ot 11 i , ost
ucti v gm tic f iry tales, about tl·1e h igher ren t at e n l:le
eh � g · f r I p iv1I g· d w1ndows that would laok I ovv on · 11 o,f he
Wo f .1 Wo,.. ld - fina ly to jns t,a li the han - ·n . n of
cont bylon
su· ac s of e Cent s hig is
r

, 1h
1 1 t · na iona, 8 1 i I d '1 e e. -
d r o er abov r

2
F 1 y h rt e s, a '=>ê es
d eacl step
almos
r s

Ci
 j

:•
•
•
'••
•

.
••' • • •
,•

.. .. •
•

203
U der ny o doe rine of urban.ísm Rockefe�l e Ce 1
1

- s d
1
- nd forgo en; under Man:hat.ta ís111 h
mutations it has. g�ven ris·:
r1ee.n house fo sci en if L 1
10 is
osac . TI oof. are -º be connected
pa 1 • • 1 h a ma rione en
-a1 fio e hibi SIC t
ns a ga de º..... e.
advanced ana IOTI O e
-
n -t re · ·1n e d
,.
o �

e � is a G C'

-
D an. 1n . 1 oc 1 �el n o
.
o r car a chi e r p, e n 1 n
b ss. ela e e s - ·res 1 a 1 e
and seco . .
- be ore Roc e ·ell r Center ma s .n
con er ion - fro eclecti ·sm o a ro
- . d as a co sis I ent en er r1se - o s
o v,el o 1, e rÍrf - n - re r ne �t ª f n the ace o " h e M ·-. e · of
he 'hi 'ie !· od l1W· ys de ,ends lhe he:do �s ·e Ur ni, 1 o Con e,s i n
1 g 1inst e puri · nicai U rbanism of Good li ,1ten ·íans.
1 n t is I i hr , he roof gardens of the ,center are e n t e t 01 f the
M n at a, s ·r 1bility to ingest the Modernis R8di� n· City o 1 ·-h ,p y'
H I ijr nd gr- - ss, by reducing it to one lay ramo, ma1 y. L. hijs way
r wiU b,e both n1etropolitan and antiurban.
· in he syntl1etic v,egetal past of heir ai borne si �, - t 11di· g
011 icated meadows of a New Babylon, , ,, , e, i'I k fl mi� gos
o ·h J p, n se Ga den and imported ruin_ ena ed y Mu nd
fi,v ow1 · s co-o ted to· ems of the European av n, g ,d._ co1e i tin,g
o � s. d !h
1
I s i rme wi : h aU h - o_ h . ,.. • 1 ye r Mo e - is
I

.-s oy
e Cen· er is both a lashbac -
�1 nd a 1 ,s - o
- arde - nd ille Radieus1 r.roeo
Jb is
 e e I Se e =
rea land h !C U U

Pas he Europea , Future, �t , rnaxin11 um of canges i1oir1' comb11r1. d

'th 1nax�n1 u. of .líg·I and sp e �� "as beauti fui s possi le consi tent
t e um in orne th houl de lop _ d�'

F L 1
Ro 1 k feUer C n er i he fulfU 1· e o e pro �s of nha an. - li
par dox,es v been resolved.
Fro now 01 1e M opolis I erfec .
· ice a e , o b o 1 e COI

a e e ure. no 1
on·a lo
m gn]ficence. i t is no Ron an, y ti h , R'om s endu i quali -i s of
m ss and strength. No is it the Taj M ai whicl1 it rese11 bles ín . 1ass�
Taj- 1 of

aJ I li s and t a · e
J 1
1 a R- e R'oc - ,,fel ler Cen r - ill s. nd in m1d-s re m r - sh o'f I e
York. The - j is lik I oasis in the ju ·· le, its w i e-ness ense a inst th
g�oor y g � ,e fo · , . Roc 1k, Jler Ce1 wdl
o olis-1, se
.
a --
-
, al a· 1 e
nd surrou 1ding i sp· 1

WT TaL in ribute o pure be _u y, w s desi'g ·ed as a I nple, a sh ine.

Rocke·fel � r C, nter· conceived · lhe s - 1me spi of aes ·h, tlc devo �011 is
·
o s is pa' t _ 1 n d i e ice any· 1 ded - 1
- o ou
. .
12

b 1ne s i o cios an n
w • •

a s1 - 1 1
h c.ity pi n �ng · an u ol :ing u u r . -

·e 7 n r
nd RCA 11 Hng
freets''

li -d� � ulp ur
 d10 City Music Hall:
h1 · ui · NI ,e r S,e,- s 1

USI li th · f n ne er e s.

a I d ea
all
r a a a, ·s

º" eli
.. , E .
_, - -

.a o el a .·
e pe o
on1n 1 e e
o er J. ,R m
mo n es car ,e bl eh o a 1n e d ho e
o e h 1C en er.

- · he great st hea rical adven 1r h Wo, 1 1 s I v, r

k, w ' - xy e nnot expect much en hu i srn ro
A ·. o r t A r 1t · cts., who want to be saber and n1od · rr,· hey even
co, vince oxy .o join t hem on a study tour of Eu op whe e · 11 ·y 'Vil, n
to see wi I is O\Jvn eyes t he adva nces mo - · rn .. rc · itectu r h s
m de in he er cons ·ruction.
mm consummate showman Ro y. two usi s men-
1931: th
c Hect � rriso and Re1i n hard and a delegA ·ion o f · ecl n ic,_ 1 . x ie ts
I

ke. , r, s 1· ,� ntic jou rn·eY�

p ases oxy. expert ,n he pro ,uc !on i'II 1, l ln
1 n I y an, · ensi' y to satlsfy e .rapai' n
E ht ,e s p j anical enem·es o h r · io 0,1 ho
h di
n I ranc -' G a a ol e
o a e e a to asco t h p n

2
 nce firs li · · th,e Cons ructivist clubs d i,1 t, er ·
s e e j i 1- we_ ties.

r 11 r 11 -ocea u nng· s re n o ,e Yor

,e, nc ai. · o.· Y� S a i a a sunset
. .
h a e r: · is o be a 1ncar a 10n n
a es .e u il

nc ly ee

e
e e
e cll ·e e -a
5, e -. sei
e .O e r n
loped 1 ' n· e
e r :_ - n T e a s e 'h
e chi g - ound the en � e udi -anu
· ai o b ·· r llec _ he u pie o d
h lo o -ed I e ox insis s on o
TI o s qu ce o o y s dream is ha . lhU h, uns IS
e , fuUy chiev d h,en the li;ghts of his a d
J d
no e� ct1 ·1c1 y in the inter 1 missions a 1 h of eh
ponds to a sunrise�
l 11 o h r wa ds the 24-hour cycl,e of day and night is re e te , veral
l 1 · du singtle performiance at Radio City M sic �4all. D y nd
n1 1 r dr stic l l1 y reduced, time accelerated,
i -X

lif ,o iall · - do1 ubled trip�ed ....

CHILL
Ro y s un ndi g of Fantastíc Tec�1nol!agy inspires . · ur r
e aphor: ques 1 oning he conven ion h,e
m � ventila ion a d cooHng- h r h 1: hi·:
o he sunse .
1 lo · e t at charac e rzec hi 1s1on
hallucinoaen�c gases o
so h� s n e 1c ecs as can e· o ce h
A all os· ou. ,a. . 200 i r o s 1 u
- e e o
His law rs dissuade i11m. but for short pe ,od Roxy - ctua!lly i·nj cts
02 e- h t r u 1c I olecu ihís n r re
e_ -1 -e
r.
Co 1bi i' h su er- , 1 a� h , Ro y di,e · -es he d
e a "

�.. -
o ··a mon, h in he

s
ec 10 an
th ets a f a cha i 11 1 eact ion o u rth er, u 11fore�
se . n cu I ra r ·
a o o n ,n e 10
men notl ing nke '
dr10 Crty n d' eam ' c laim
r�:
1 .. its
cre tor ith j 1s rc b J1 he ntain r -e
. o p r ect a ,t ri ICU e IS

On th. the o fiei I op ning of 10 Ci y, exh ust,e ren, n.an

of s·, ale a nd pen vaud ville tr ditio tha peak d 20 y r
f 1
h d ·on1c d no su vi e 10n
he footl 1ghts e,. nno · , ol I ow th gn 11 n:s' c1ces s they
t- ou I e � z r lo p s
e con e n:- s . r e, ma
th giga 11 1c : t g,e - wid s e city block - denies tlle mea1nin .
of n i e e ed ast11 s e n a 1 1 n a· _
ze
se e isis cond i ions. sty x posed a bo h
hl a· e ,r L

stu , o uc h · u , so eh I ec a nd 111 s .' 3

Light ye r ra · he rch i ·ec u e of Roxy' Urie er fr m e ac ·ivity
n s
11 e na 11 a 11 C -e s a ore pas
tha 11 any onsc iousl - revai utío1 ary j eat - r ha man - ged so f ar

'A -1cL S,
1 n · e e-_ ,y thi r 1es · niy l 1onywood i pro u c1n th· ,k i nd of se ena rios
h I Ro ,as ·e la d cape in n i- u hen ici

2
Resorl.

a
H.ol lyw·ood h as ·. eve i o d íc formula - isolated human par jm

n , "ic field of fabricated pi sur

occasionafty e.o/li in - · h 1 ar ifi1c,·a1ity of Radio City Mu ic
Halr and fil �I ,, h t mo �ons o suffjcjent den i y.
e prod e ion f h r 1 h _ e more a · · o e
ox . �s br i ild.

B CKS AGE
er 1 o s pe a a

li s r 1n

r er -ore g a ·n er
.
af. . 1e, 1 v lly 11 a ed
a ant a a r- e 1 phan s- o
-
deposi s o 17 u . 1 o on, c1al âZI g ound n
adio Ci y s roo .
1

Fl aUy, the, e is oKy - 1 een the oo t uss s

oi , · s th ea r. r i t a Is descri be a
parabota to rnee 111 ,d 11 wl o� _ hin g 1s reaUy breathl ss -
v gue spaceless, t�m . M ou � i,ke an unfl,a cl1ed cfifcken
looking up at the top o 1is 1 �I. To ke t e wno,e th�ng eve rnore
f antastic, there are telepho11: he walls. When you turn a d�al
a red lrgh star s to ffa - ot _ · · f - som _ 1 i n g to do wi t 11 r.a d i o.' 1
:1�

But ,most pa1i nfuHy 1nact ive i ti o�o- - 1 theatrica I mach ine uthe 1

most con·1plete rnech �ca I ii s t 1 tlan in t I e world, i ncl uding a revolving

sta,ge; three rnan,l ula , sec, io · f l _e floorírig, la power-driven
orchestraJ dais; a tank; - 1 ric. Uy r p I cu in; seventy-five rows
of fly nnes for íts. sce e,ry_, r eJ1 e. trica I ly operated; a
cyc1orama I 7 fee y 7'5· i 1 11 • n o í1on , ictures and t o mo ion
p�ct re projection hee in miidd�e- of the revolvi g
age hic can hil he _ r tab ,e ís ·
ot10 · a ljc- 5, ng ech 1 d produ
h_ nde an (p y om . ord 1 h . ifty- ou n

2
typ· ) · 1i-invi le n1lcroptiones on the stage 1in th foo li h· s, i h
01che 1 • sub-basement and a11 a pli �- r nd - ix lou
· v· . h - . ro s ce n i u m · a rn o n i t r :y . . rn i eo 1 1 e-
ress sysbem · · 1jch rep · o uc·es po
j , t�o boa I s and 1e dj1r
also car ·1
o h ess ao s
n 1

s e o

o r

a s ,. an

a.
h XI U

Un r h- e 1 _n general rr e o f
o id I t Ir e r ·he o ye s (th �1 r , oon m-
n ent s u nri in ._ ritual. a new ro _ i
s _e -·r ·, cr isiis:, a systema ization of h e e n
in t on' , v 1n Uo o l h e t h e rn e of no co n . n ,' · u
I

pro i I y of inhum.
1 n coordination tha reli s , n rr
xhHc1ra1ting surrender of índívidua!ity to l_e cu 1,
·

i- y r-1 o nd rlt of spri-ng.

ss. e of ti i p rformance is a rnass high-kick� - in1ul n
cJisr 1 -- y o sex ai re io, s. inviting i spection bu on a se _ at
tr n . pet anal provoca �on.
Th o k w r,ac , exhibiting their supet"io e 111s o ,
ai o
lo es and rv a ·re:s:
s of- tne Co
YR. 1D
F o IS p r t a 10 1
.
occa 10n t i 1 a eco 0 n1za le r ali y . o m
 anc

2
 - - -- �---- -
-
-
-
.... . . -. .- - -- . --- - - - --- �-
- -

invades tr e di i - _ i , w1 � 1 is r íl· ll'l- de _ ace reJuvena i ng ir d

mythalag1es.
EspeciaJly �s Ea t1er sho s cl s ic of uch cross- e · ·u atio, .
P' ra "d of e e C ·ac,ks devel o r a d
n on se s ..
er o sl u lin rge 1n a sha e d
·Hsinad e e 11 n
h s a e ally cl oc es s
ai 10 r h
.
le s 111 -o....

C ,ORU1S
1 e e

, s 1· e
s o
sta -
s = h- 1n ·e ·ad a
perso ag i antic s a . ..
i S 1pr r - arke
s ries o blac in o r he ist o e , i-
lack r a ng e - 1 th nies the hu _n bo y.
i h , he . Qr íl mytho!ogy, its o n
1 s own � u 1ls , íu Ci y· Music Hall has f·nally
generated a orU y e n t.
1 ts arch itectu re lias provok · , 1 1 i now su pport� ng a new cu I tu· ,e
which, pre,s· rv d in its ovvn 1rtlfici i t1me win remarn forever fresh.

ARK
From the 111ornent of hijs '" 1115 · evel tio11 oxy has becorne a Noah:.
the chosen re-cipient o· quasi-divil e •message' who-oblivious to ts
appar 1ent impL: usi i1li y- im1 o i S , , 11 y on he world.
1

Rad-10 Ci y M u sic H a 11 1s i A k · i n,ow co· ai s u ltrasophisticate

accommodation fo s wjll 1 1 1 and t 1e apparatu.s ta d1sp, eh
he1m hroughout th
ln the Rock1 t s it -e lu u 1ati g in "ts 1ir or�clad do
. hos r, g llar 1 ro, h It I b d su gg s t a n1 a ti n i
ard d e ic h o. h , ec
archi ec po eJ s.

7
 ' l e I ca� res I a•, ak.e ir g o a ne� rac _

d :lac ag . Gir s ca r· s

,218
 jn Roxy, finally, the M1 sic H li I s its OW'I � lr1 sI aI1, a planner with a
vis i o n w h o h as b u · H a se lf · ca n ii n · .1 t 1 os o n t h e a 11 o t m e n t of h is
block. But un ike Noah. o . d e o· , e end on a e taclys,mic event 1n
the real wor d to vin 1d; ,a ve� ··o 1, ln h iverse of the human
imagination lle is i hi a·.
� n he compl e -' · o 1! s . 1pme he
se ec 10n o ·ts huma cosmog n - o 11 _
.o . s - ac of Man · a 11 r . rs s e a n
r -or S- ip
1

o eI r. . s ar · s rt 1c li o I o
 Kr • mlin1 on Fifth Aveniue
1 0-CO'W
1

ln 1' 27 01 iv a famous Mex�can m . r,a��s

i I ood s nding del1ega e of he 1
111 ·

ed Aid r I
resen ative of I he ·can P .
. of he ti-1 m erial"s
be dei a ion o eas
e D 1 e e obe

·- n . o .- n n -· b: e _ a ches
s s e e e

all - ay 1
r-om h1ch _ e op d on
1
bu mu ai

_ r es lt is ot merely Rive a] ap e ·he

ai I0n �n ellectuaUy- oo many radie 1 1- o
1 1n r b re in ellect maiy prove a s -k 1d
�1irn - hoUy. s ir him till tlho,. 'gh· an _ fee�l�n e i
1 - o h u i y r om wl ich art alone can issui_·' 1

1'927
11 lii y· ar - h, colllision betweeíl the Russi:an M1 0 rnis-,· Soviet
re i11 e r - an on1inous phase: the Modern s s ar accused o· 1 g

eli ts who ro tuction is lliterally use-less: the Sovi, gov 1 r men

is d . · o d fine once and for all the principl s o , ar t will
ener � spi-1 e . he masses.
. '
h '
o · i 1 o Rive as na rative style - he is one o· w ainvInc1 , .
VI , o, u, s in fhe world - ·s no losit on 11 is h st- . A inl er-
1

V�I g h ad of the Dep, _ r ment of g11 ati 1

n _ 1 pa r da
o e 1 u is
1
� n e na ional atta.cks he IRuss · - in -
o 0111 h M xica n. T e ga _. 1
R e a' u, íH a
011 co ff!IO gy f e o r1,an 11.ed
ou 1 1: ,ar 1 ·n r
hl1 eri s rl 1n
ke nipo-
5
1-
i' h
1n
o- ln i;H ·, o1, le
e: bourg si
'1

R1 V
 .
e 1 1 g d 011ly by following a cours which wi! 1 1. 1 _I ov 11 cul ural
,ss.es - nd ca acitate then1 orar 1 IC h
'
11,ev 1 1 1
-

w v· lo --- d by the d�c atorsh1 p of t e ai

1
1

. -
1
y O SI � o _ eg1n a-t once he rappro h,em 1 1

a· • T o 1d 1s sim,ph:?. Pai. t! t I· ti e� lbs n

Ri o ai '"ep-o eh ha 1n h a 1ti f IS

il .r t
an cl r rd -s
1n o he a are cueo 11-

s 1 er o

ra: s-
s
h se e e

e ICO IV ecora es wa s 1n ion I P 11 ,e

o h - ,r 1 1ges, e B1fliona1res Banqu Ro k f Jer . o d
ini.ng on ic er tape.
Tí. f e output Rivera has to consume fresh lcon 1
l Llke a d mented o�I wel I, th Ame ica of h hí 1 5 shes
con jr, 1ou ly 1 l

my 1 ·ror11 the - ,ssembly line to the bread lin - oith qu lly - seful
-O
1 1n 193 - Mu eum of Modern Art- the Rockefell ers' e n C' o 1

d, v loprne,n s in th e avanl-gar 'e - off rs iv r

1

iv weeks before· the opening 011 Nov 11 ·ir 3 N 1 -

iv - in Mranhattan ·o produce a enes o v
1 as a preca ut i on "j i n a I n d w I e ,. _ . 111 s o no
1
1

. •
h ,. h
1 . ia ely star s o 1 ,ar s iCO f
l,1 t Yor . Pneuma 1 M

I
n t .
1
hird epc d e o h 1 Is h

222
 a z
n1c1p ob11i d me Jying on _he 1. o· ri · corps 1n
1

a I1orgue and a in1rn1 obi�jzed kyscrap s of New Yorl< like monu·

f ne ts o- - tom of b s1i1ness�, The o · o· cho en o occupy th,e
ro n are o oa· e cG · b · in
1

r
aU MoMA co ds.
I

Sponsore by the Ford dynasty, River spends 1932 lrarg l_y in the
re s as1 e o d co · at _ e For .
e I s - u - s.
o e f - 1na ed han e i icaJ h. ra 1s a s - ual a hes1 o
ass m b:fy line, a glorif�c· ion o , he i nd. s rial ,mystique the s.acred con
ve ar b ,1 that d �Hvers , , i1ts en , a lib r ted m nkind.

e he o .. ie s I e Roce eUe sare plannin o 1nco

I
a e I prop·�a e
wo ks of art ín th ;r cal assa I com 1 lex to su bstantíate its cu l't Ir I claim s.
Through e at r e i1on o pecuUar economic� r is ic ravi y
e lo a n , e b1 e cil .. · o es -
ss o ia D e e J
R ockef 1 � rs 00 ]!_ .Y R ri V a 's W01 1 .•
1 1

L er in ·932, N lson Rockefener ir1vit s River· o decor te th 111a111

llobb o h RC · uildin .
ICa' · S

a 1. hope a
eh os1ng o a n _-w and be er future 4 l'Jl'

The arch i e·cts are n.xi,ous abou ilrt i nv ,d �ng th ir don �n :· an Hood 's
- . _ e u ra s a o b · re co o s: 'ª' d ,, .
1n se 1ec ca: s ·
& •

ocke elle delega ion and Rive . as 1nsu Ia . ld famo

he is stiU ,expected to su bm ft fo a corn · tition. H e re · uses, but ins1sts
ar he sam1 tim on us1 g calor W'arnin , Hood hat o erwise e oul.
1
I

a n e n eal e J • e is se
t I J n o ac e lo o, e
aiw, ys h. the f1 �ing o cryp .. ... Su I ose som rn1�-d, posed person
1

shaul1 d eh nce upon a nicknama such as jUnder· akers P,alace.' '' 2 Sorry
yo can ccep ' Ho,od r es h s ily" but e son Rock lle
a·e e ada
ph1fosop -. 1 y s do I a e e m a . ie
w - t h , 1n · 1n paus nd thlnk an o tun tl1eir
 !e oi
t11al Lwu

crrl 1<..:-il,
� 1 jecl '' wr1 c:li cov r wh r1 1 was too 1 ...�1e.
.

22
minds inward and 1 1 w r ... 11 · e a not onJy material1 b t a ov
a 'I spiritua I a\N e 11 n •· ...
1
r he e rs _ W N
an ca , no 1n 1 v1, 1 o 1 · ms by mo íng
e as sol e 1 me t of cí i ·2at1 n s no
• •
lo era : 1 s a ia of ma s oul
an ind a · li n1ng a e o
h e lop n n a s
n

e
sa r

s a
e

1 ad a ac
1 h-Ce u
- -
n ncan1s o UfllS S

S · can k e asses
o - s. h o as opolitan a d
·
pear on -1 e cov lis � ealis piamphlet de·
o lle g ori ·e tion

FATA MORGA ·_ A
Tlle story of the CA J i · w par i s who s -art d�_gging a
tu n n e I f rorn bot h J s, h vi I g ,. r g -1 to conn ct in the míddle 1 only to
find that when th,ey r - eh h . i 11 .. 1 spot ther is no one on the o het si·c e.
For R �vera r the v i1 rgi n · LH'-f ce of M nl1 t an l, obby becornes a disp�ac ·. 1
Russian wall on whJch h win lly proj ct the Red Army fresco. At l1e
servíce of the Rock l l1 er l1 will f�x ar - · er i y a Communist ata
1
Morgana in M·anhc: 'K · f lin o the banks of the I udson/
a, leas. a Red ·
h ortuítous o 1 n1s pai�nt and a Man a n
eJevator ba k - r s s orna
p ·_ olo · i
nclai e ro spe · 1
e o at1

22
Jus 1 1 this · ra egy coul:d prod u ce f a e s to o x1st n
1
r ow g e· a e pol·t�cal fi ash-forw. r · he, es bl i h I n o
f
,menc n .·· o iets.
A consc1ous or no er 1s
11 1 on . oc -'s concep I
e -on. er
e vi hz · i n n I onge la ral bu -
ai · e RCA lo· O·
i1 es 1

· 1a o a o e U

ai

-Y
la er-d n
ca s 1n h red I ai 10111 o a alli
coe n
·n li s he of e Kremli
L · 1n o
ous. s1 1 ging masses o en an
101 1
o _ I 1e 1 1gh .
d Square, ma enalized h ouglh t , 1, vts,· n
1 ou· o ng wom1 n in he ·enjoyimen _ o a ts .. Tl1 n
. 1 o h r cocoo11 ui wl1icll (in Rivera 's synopsis) · · he Le d 1
u i i n .·
g s u "e of p :rm nent peace the hands of the Soldi r h N r f rmer
ncl t whi worker while in the backgrou cJ ti . rn "' ss of workers wi -h
t herr ists h I high aff irm s the wi11 to sustai 11 t i ·f e .''
ln ti 1 · for grou· d, u pair of young lovers and a rno h r nursing 1 :r
ewbor cl íl see n1 the realizat�on of the Lea e ·s vis1io · the ole po ·
si ility of li1vi g rawíng and reproducing in lave and p 1e e ,,

r ·1n ernational types'· who wi II re 11iiz 1

i 1
1

n 1 u1m ln campo nd dives ed o ra i 1 -

.. ' Th 1rs ell� se is a ie· 1cros -ope.
si ai livi ng organ1s
ene ai disease o o
s o he card playin - m�n.

22
- - - �- - - � --- - - -- --- --r-

The second llipse brín �

bodies
,t ,e i n tersec '·ion o t _ � e cosm�1c energy rece� ed y
t o ante nae i o u· 1 cl1in ,ry n rolled by t e o -ke
where i í rans ar n irgy�
11
u
rerou e· rom th, , os, ,on o a
· ha 1s t resco .. l 1p[ , a, ,ds
e red b e L
ed a s ar e a es o
- .
1 , a. e 1s oc
ac e r

s
I e

h- ,01 e es au
a s a e
a p ha asso a
o e r d a· o' t e bald-he dl 1
en1 s a 1ng
1ve a a1n s s. n John D. J . Foo s · 11 ..
screa s a ra
1 �

note: ,� 1lle I va 11
1 · ay vi wing he piro,gr ss of
1

your I hri 11 ing rnu ral 1ic I ost recent por ion of the
pai nting you had 1ncl u i. o, Le·n I n.
ií'This píece is beautt- uJly p, h I d bu i s ms to 1 1e that his portra�t
appearing in thi mu 1 111j ht v · y �sily offend a great many people .. ,..
As n1uch as I dislike to l,o so I fr i we rnust ask you to subs· itute
the face of some n1an where L nin's 11e d naw appiears.' 45
Rjvera responds by · ering o r - · 1 e he e rd�p�aying women under
therr vener ai cloud wi· , rou o Am rican l1eroes - such as Lín o!n,
N'at Turner:. Harriet cl . r S· ow · .i W 1 • JI hi!líps -that mr_ght
restore the balance.
T1 o eeks la e., h lo by 1 . '�ver I i· sked o come
o I he sca foldin and as ,ed o I a
· he scene it is a a:
he s ree s s: p rolle b ed police-
n an t u p s 111 ro of ·rpla es fJ in ·

227
 "

ow nght: 1 he
1. B:...
r v co i rulled by

22
round the skyscrap r men e d h partra it of Len in ..
1
k

1
The prol tariat r e e, ed r ly. 1our a t r we had evacuated I e
ort a d monstra, ton e ase o ost b Jliigeren. sec' rion o - he
ci y s wor I ers arrive b b le ,· once he mou ed
po ce made s o_ rab,�. o ess e arg· g
p · · he emons
I o nJ 1n he f . se en- earkor i -1
ai o o a
Thus h e a, 2uns po a1 o
Leni in . he Ba

e 1 .

229
 2 Po: t cripts
EC TA' ___ -
� �n 1s t e Ra�nbo · oom.
hroug he 2 , 1 arge i ido n o Roo
o . 1n - e Rcun o · len
i 20-
a cal o bu
b
1

: a 1

a ela
eal a

h an o e un
e e
�m1 In h a1r, let us app y i ou: s ,1 es. T n , ·s
o 111 h e bod r ac · s f ar h I n gs í' t e U . 1 .-y 'º'
They w, ui ou_ wl1at rt has that ít no l onger· e d r 1 1 st
would til n . ,rgn he perfect hurnan b ing fo 'h li
0111orrow 11e toes woulld be etiminated. hey were _ rv n o us, o climb
r , s, nd we · o 110 climb trees anymor . This woul I rr 1· in er-
ch 1 · b 1 I sho,es,, b a· itifully stream,ined. he e rs would t tu n · 1

, ro n , · 1 t . d and streamlined to the- head. Hair woul 1 · - u e only

lo cc n n . 1 ecoration. lhe nose would b _ str n li . Ce ,. in
e ng . woul b made in the contours of both m 1 n watn n ·o
k m r gracefuL
- 1 iloso her - 1ave cal! d he e 11 1 · n,ess o li i ng 1s

. .
e a es con es on 011 , oss
•

230 1
 va ion a11 piai .
,., luture 1_
m
ld us ·o
 e 1c ns ar·. he
.
b r � J ...•
li
ILL
.
Hood has never e I illl, b 1 1 when til e fírs installment ar
Rockefe l1er Cen e1
1
com1pl 1th co Jlapses .. Friends th�nk
he frantic , o .
· n ock li se -hausted him U, 1n e
h, s f ers f rom •

-His energy ne h ho p n he e a SIC

•
· ea h 1in o o hi IC nd o he b ildin s

e n o
Ce na a a 1 ·.

1
i 93:
e r e h .' co-pr -
a es1 e, o
Cu ure nd li as a 00
•
; � a_ e ev- 1 o a m re- id 1 ag a
•
1 n
or o e ,( ta I e n e g n � e of pose

233
'Jl,a � �o ri en or F -u U
- ,/U_
T/D B I

� a a D 1,

.a h3 _ta . 1 reat � QC ...

L Co s1e

EST
id-thirties bot 1 V 1i busie - h y hat e eh
ther v1srt New Yot k For li i i1
Bot'7 conq uer 1t, o-11 cori pt 1 l ly ti 1 r tA Uve approprration
C'New York: why, wl1y di ·I you cr y s a 1 long ago, lor1g before 1
1
was born 7 ') i I Le ( its kysct t a 1 .., 1 o 111 )'J Corbusf er by
1 1

ro 0s1ng 1terally t y i l.
he1t rear.1ons-di 11 *' 1s J s fue led by equa1
parts je ...,1 ousy a nd a· rn 1 -� 1 · � 1 - o y of Eu opea n a tt e rn p ts
reclaim"' Mcnl1 n.

p an

:
3
1 h a
 NO ki11g5 o f tlv:1 Pzi ranold­
, : IHT p, u 11 p- va ble cori1,ec1 res

: _er 1 tJ l1 oug 1 h :leU erc_t,e s.in1ulation of

IC 1 1:lUis 1 1 1 Oi,;eSS s, s pported
1 · 1 v l h '' cr 1tchM�·,, o Cartesian

23
twen es Sa lvadot 1Daj I lnJec , h1s · r nai . rltic t M thod into the
bloodstream o Surrea��sm
rne hi · 1 0n to the �nternal
mec - anrsm o I ar ano I p __ e posstb.lli y a: an
e per1 ntal m I hod b e o ina es h sys ma ic
. .
ss· c�a 1ons o p- ranoi e. od as o
b e e he­ n h is h e na e of' pa a o
c I IC · 1 a
T e - .. _ o e a · n d- 1 IC ( is Th on u

as 1

sp

�.
n s
as1 05
s1 es - a
h Onl . o h 1e
.
en - ro -
-
u aon o e 1s r I p a particu a
,nsan ·· 1asy um a, e 0 1 d o h· · e li e n · ai p o,ple h -ne e
pos · b.le.
h 1e · _ o expenmenter­ Ili 01 ' ij1 1
,aviar Qi he - an
and ti ,en gave bonu poi 1 o, ns) t , 1 pa 1 1en · who 1made
1
eir bed.s r swept th i roon1s wo· k �i hen , etc. T ese tokens
were red,e mab�e for e.ante n i· en11 e ities such as a cojor V,
staying up later at night ar e , riv m. 1 es incentives proved
v ry effective i n motivat i 11 _ the p ,ti. �· o loa,k f · r t · em se�ves and
take care of the ward/�
· he hope .that u nderl i-es such · � · r y is t 11 t · ooner or later� such
s yste ma t i e si rn u I at ion o f n ar r . 1 i t y wi 11 u r n i I to r � norma 1 ! ty, t h a t t h e
sick mind will insinuate itself SLJ e s· . l�y in o ,om orm of sanity like
ai hermit crab ínto an emp y s,_ .U.

Tou:. IS,1'
D r s P1CM is a form o·· -.inforce , t ·n he oppos1 e
d1rec ion. J nstead o t e d is - , Is of heal ·, Dal�i
_ o o ses a to r1sm1 _ f s . Ola.

n Da 1 í inv · ts th PC 1 no1 ·n ' aris. T ro

237
m ciíc 1 e r 1 , íts d i ition has been an1plif1 1 )-y 11 l

\tti/h ic · .• on ly one · agr r

a g on y

e ar 01 e n 1I

· Pa a - íl IC

o o
o
e ar es
n nd
gaseo o
en j y of fac : th cnti a 1
� n ot obJectifyi g souv 1111

1 o risr11, f co ct e ev1 d nce t h,at bnngs the · ;scov t t u

X l lon I cl� to l11 e rest of m an ki nd r i a lly i íl fo 1 1 viou nc
,1 d rn 1 , s n.apshots.
As d i( 1ctic o 1 � 1 of such a crit ical ope at io e e, to rove
1

111

·r h par ..1 n o i e ( i . e . e s s n ti a 11 y u n prova b I e) t h e si o M ry's A

D I cri es one af llis d r·eams.
1
• N w w I s t í l l f i r1 d t h is d r a w
1 e fív bags of gre n pe 11
·' SI · n ro em tro
H ly Vir- i t

01

�r f
o n a e
 .a 1n
a 1s 1n a ,s.
 13 Lood
1 160
gu 1, , n sk1II and
t 1111117
Buli ·e � iv cr r l 01 s ap
i n d d n l .• 11y . o l v I n t 11 1� .. 1 i · y S1 1 - at
H V � J.

2
HDue o the acceler tion con o 1 .l U ws , gravity l the upside-down
r
faU of he peas wilJ rod u - of he Asc,e111 ion. To refíne the
e ect even more one cai_ 1 co �ef _ective fjlm, which i �I
g·ve i the q_ a �'Y o a scre _ � ...'8
'n ral
•
He e t e conjec re e ranoiac prop,el a t·
-
1 I 1
.
r-ecord·ng · in a pos la rs 1ade
rit-c 1- obj n d un 1n r ai orld h re 1
.
p
an becorne
n e o -a
p la 10 s an

es e

ear a
o rn o he _

s 1.oe o a __ ear un eo sa
IS ev e s n di s
1 n xora. y n e· p p- 1 e· co 1'_inuous K1ss of - - a kin
T h"gh r the den ly of · etropoli an · 1s-
he h1ghe-· e ·e 1 en y f h, s t 1e process o· consum , �
tio - o the ea � y 1 n - e nd h e wo n out so ap1dly
tha, the suppJy 1s de I d.
Tlnat is the cause of the R _ 11 · y o
his process intensifJes i 20· l I n, ury d ,j 1 ccon1panied by a
paralle! mala ise.
tl1e fact that a11 factsp ingre � 11t r henorn n . e e., of t he world have
been categorized and catai gu -d, h. 1 h d · ini· ive stock of the
world ha.s been take . Ev rythin i. k ,wn i nc�u �- ing that wh�ch is stiU
I

unknown.
Th · PCM is bo h the · od LJc f re ·dy gaínst that a nxíety:
it prom�ses tha tí1rougl1 co , h- worn. consum·ed
co tents o · th worl d ca 1

d like ranium and

eve - 1e enerat1 ns o,
e _ nera · d sim ly
CM propos s e ca alo - e
o hor -cir i ai " eh

2_1
 e IS_ ,ou le
u o� 1934-35: 1
11 g o

242
the wodd cari be r, s, u -�- , .. lik ,
�s a disappointm,en
PC activty IS �ke e 1 • • 1 r v s o a ga e o solr a·· e h
efuses oco ·;e O' ike n 1n 1 . , J1gsa p zzfe so ha

PC ac 1 ª oo _ n ionallsm o he E lig e -
e inall o e

ESIRE
sa e co ai i
a ·:a
9

o o e 1s o g
a lea .x pr ed
.
h n e us 1s an
�

a . 1guo. s reezeT a e_:: n1ngs: he cou · IS

p rif'ed jn a m om · 1
1 nima e hem in t I
t
in · ant· he an's n of' o p1et -des
o [ h r o I he - heelb r·o ·
1 1

only announ e t,e i, 1 e stilr�separated couple· he

p ·tcllfor - 1s the ore xu , e 1ron a concrete· he woman·s r d
ha glowing in the sun e 1s, c�o eu . of h impa ie,nt tip of th,e man s
1 •

meiT11ber; and so on�

Through irnterpretat1on, D 11 xplo le ti · Angé/us and gives it a new
lease on l1fe.�

INDIANS l
PC activity exlste,d long befor , i· s o mal invention. When Coíumbus
-ailed west, he want d ta prov wo . -� · inct liypotheses:
. t ha he- world wa - roun 1. c1nd
2 that h wou id reac ys w .s ·d .
1e , irst conject - r r� h
Ye hen h e print d s ooi s 'P
1
h· e e . ro ed bo h·ses
.
o s o n sa .1s·
om ha ln. ·ans' - ae .nce
ha · e i · isco e r h
1
e e lnd· pr o a

2
 Da I íhe tsc v

S 10

Jol Iam 's .. b, r ·s·. ,y v1 . w f N 'I 11 r"

1672, he or ily l r ue r
as proje t: tf ... e ll
par·r,.11no1d proi ec Olls
soil o1 -1nh21 n,
specu�atjve errar.
(A P1C racef hey wer 100, 1e o xt� nc · io wti n th ITl'istake was
dfscovere,d -wipe -, o as · b v� Iene_.)

GR'·FT
rocess o colo • r ,r ' 1 · lar ui ure on 0
aH n si e - ·s in , f _ _o I it o _cu s 1n e oíd
. ft b e e · rpa 10n
nst I -d oc u IS e
oun IS S 1 a

s
s
a IS

a
es ode
o I is s 1·e ods
-
us1n ac u
-
sou en rs a JO, e
as cast o th o J e , o an Iqu o� ·o hi o n fo o
, ode n1

P1 ROJIECT
Jn t he �rtjficf ai l11gt,t o ti, 1 'C'M t
accon1t11odat1ng a com -1 te e �1,0, u. 1 f E_ ro e n pr cedents- becom,es
the only true repre - ent . io ,f N w Yo k proj ct.
From its discovery, Ma lia . n as · e n urban canvas, exposed to a
constant bon1ba rdrnen o. proj e io1 , 1 �sr -pres, ntations transplantat ians r

a nd grafts. Ma ny '�took/' but ve ,ias h . were rejected ieft traces

ar scars. Th rough th,e s ·rc tegi s ".I e · ri (wi I h its tabulous incremental
rec ptivity): ti· ,,e i nex haust1 bl e l b .. . ·um of th synthetic Wild West
of he Skyscrapers. a d the , t · 01 i s (with their invisible interior
arch[tectures),, he 1672 m . p b, co tro pecL a more and more
accura .e, p ediction: p r· r 1, o a r 1 01 :. V 1 · rchipeíago of co�oss.]
so v n1rs ava· ars o all the accumufate
o ris s· - b,o hi li e. , n e I ur .

2 5
Le 1 Co y rs older than DalL
Co landT 1° shar- s w1tl1 Dari tha P n th d�
1n of _- u,- eal11s TI but atso Cu . -m (an L e 1 1 1 si 1 ·r s
rsion: Pu is m)�
Dai Le Co sier d spi es Su 1i u·
L C o - - nd mre od o o a -n all

h 1 o un a s an
hi t r JS
. .
a 1 se
a

o :_' ESS
1 p on o uc e 1 e
•
si onr as clouds o on1 e he
w
--
10 1

o h
.
Ar hi Vf
1
PC a
. . .
Th 10 h pecula 1ve e �

lo e
rn archi ec ure� Like o
pt y rom at of other ac o o
,nts to perform wr hout et · n
r o m,ance� even in its mo t aggr ssiv
r all ion i insis ts on lts otherwor�dlin ,ss.
For f i - - u v si ve 1 a y w i t h i n a p I ay i t 11 as eu I li v a e
f ic ition 1 od I d on Noah's Parano�d-Critícal episo le i
Mod rn - - e �1 itec u re is invadably presented a- a las -min r rtun ity
for r d 1 - 1011, an urgent invj ation to share he p ai e tl1 si'S hat
e I mi1 y wlll wi1 e o _ ti a unw·ise part of mankind l1a cl�1 • to ai
0 1 1n o"f 1 - 10n nd u rban coexistence.
'W 1'il - - V - y e1s - f oorlislil pret, nds tl ,a· 1 o' hin
5 uc O so 1,at Tian �ind ma surv�v h eio in flloo � . .

me h od of obj e 1 1c n- .
I - s rein orce cone- h su -e - si o

2
2 8,
the speculativ ta he r e 11 f -

ransposHion o D ,ili s cl , m f ·. : o o , Jry s Ascension a o

a �I i ,s commo1 · ,ess ·n . ve- y 1y h e, i - o �le· s dr amHke
.roken do n rn onc te e ns ruction procee · s s
ollo s�
1rs . h, conJ e r h
i ia r es1 ..
.
s ee r 1 n s C' o e
ed:

a rL

e Ul a e
a 1 •

s
·ad ro e s o· e = a i e - pf ica
1 e- ship a d
oah need. - a n
ode , eu S •· 00 .

BU .S
1 f n 1929 e 1C or us1 1 e 112 A yl 1 for h Parrsian Saivation 1

Army r an objec h es m phors on a litera'� plane.

1
1 �

Hrs barge offe s acc 160 clochards.

( ums are the ideal cli I f mo . rei i dure: in perpetuai need o
shelter and hygiene re I lov r of n . 1nd t e great outdoors, indiffe n
o architectural doctrln an · 1 o · r · 1 1 yo l.) They arn arranged in
pairs of double-decker beds alo1, · 1 e 1· ngtl1 of the barge, wllich is mad ·
of rein torced concrete.
(Remnant of World War � mllt ry ri nt tion. Li ke arch itectu re
al1 l paraphernalia of w r ,- : the rnost rational possíble
instruments a h v,c 0 1
ron li po si.ble pu rsuí . _

CITY
But hes a e ere 1n
-
f f Le Co busier s en nd uiíd he
Ci ommen r he n po n .ia! g or1 s

2 9
 si, r � in1 agin ary
u rd r o wnr ..r h is rn a n s
lv g au t selves rnad,
p Q( 11g1 u hla tus beLvee n
ai _ e I ital i<,s add ed}.
1 byss ot ;: -1 lf lcíal ity. So

t s ,v .s l ogeth er. Why?

r I p nv ·n en· ln their

r I our cit1es
n m t:hanis1 -
w a1 e n1ere hunted
1 ve - rrounded
t - n (o · ·1e
of the machíne c1viliz ia .
lt is. r1,i's trag1c bad I uck , s,,1 ci y �r a y exists when he develops
thrs arnbitron, nam ,�y M
L e ..c ar b. u ·,er · s t· a · '· '1s .· n . liv ·r t I e cí with 1ct h ,
is pre,gnant he h, 1 to ve e ·s·. To estabfsh h
· i thr11 ht of is b ain hil Yo 's cre _ ilit ,
g amorous sp · le - .o h ' fi h . . o t o o
si I eo 1 o r1 a a ·a 10
agaI s u ai a I a a an
jle ca o ai s1 n ng
S se ..
eC

en
r
o
ro a

1 s e
e ar- 1m · a u
e i n a _ i a nts o a ion of arch1 ec a e
s . 1 d th skysc ape as
rshed the pedestr'a 1
alone... � Hre o es an bo rn of he skyscraperr ous
at the foot of th to , s, s h1m ·el' up in the to, er· wt is
ight in the ·ower 01 · te s y . r · awers. sadness, depres
síon ... "' Bui on top o hos ky e li han the others i th,e lo se
becomes radiant. He s es 1 boats, he is above tl1e
other I rce....'
1

That the !ouse is exhil r e , 110 1 y J I ure,, bu because he is eye to

e·ye \/1/f th oth r Skyscr p .. rs, j co1 e rv, ble to Le Corbusier for �, here a
the top, th ·se strange sky r . rs r u, ually crowned by some
a ca de n1 i e contra pt I o n .
'JThe I ouse is iatter· . Th1 leu I ove i L.
�The louse approves o h e ·,, n s o d cora f!' the cor.k of his
skysc, ape ....' �

IID E ·. TIKIT
1

Le Co1 us-er s ca · n s e ac
ha its s _ra e I ha - ne b 1s g ress10

2 1
ig,norance that h '"' e r· ully V o he lu r: ion of his attacks -
and that for hi- urope , ,1 o,· h11 s im1pu ,at ons are unv ri,f · ble.
� an identiki p . r i of n 11 1- asse ribled by e palie
om p o ograp e s o more ar less · ccu a
s rip 1ons 1n ct par e. ceUe
L C bus- r n I i it: a p · � spec
1ec
ln b 1n .· series ha
a s o o

r1 e.

• a ..
ra 10

n e
o
Sk se ape di a s s .ecu a
ve, s a ds j. h
1nco op, ,at and - s p: se! -
puU · ou he Ho izon I k- r u s� e -• · 1Ca e - ia n , a
11 n th�s rformance o li n S yscrape arid the jungle
become unrecog iz tu ns into a Cartesian (= Fr,ench
= rat]onal) abstraction; '. 1 j i o car et of green vegetatian that
�s SL pposed to hol 1 rt s��ys r pers together.
Usua lly after such PC ki I na p i g o r model s frorn t hei r natural con tex s,
the victims are forc . 1 to s
. . . 1
1111 r s· o heir lives in disguise. But the
essence of New York' - ky:sc, 1
is ti hey al1ready we.ar costun1es.
Before European ar... hi ·cc· s d I o sign superior costumes.
But Le Corbu:sier unde st n , h only way to make the Skyscraper
u n recogn iza bl e is undr s r . (Thi for 1 of forcíbje u ndress. is o
course also �- w iii-k1 own li 1C'ic to p1eve t 1urther misbehav1tar
by a suspec )

EREXP-S -·
T _ Car esian · y e r1
e ori in Man a a
 1 'I h C r si I St<yscrap� : metro
.. r,1 u ou n I ing park w,th e le�1ated
O 11 o oirs o o f · i te s a n d, �l l 1 h e top ,
il
nr, � 1 ·1tfo 1 "' ns a.. e i ai omba, drne nts .' 1

(TI I no ti ri -ir h
íí ct J r i � l t at v 11 i eh is
1 1o1 1 •·w " e ata s 1- h e.)

2
 - -- - - ----- - - - - -----
·- - . ... -

.
he part 1n be w n l . ' t1 p o� f ashioned
I
stone cladding,
dressed rn gL ss
'
· 220 m ter .
.
l t IS e,xacty h r 10 r r h. Man hat n·s official thi kers
ai, ays pre n in prac �ce they s eered
as ar a a ,ro po he · of a ha · a s eh i-
t cts-prag a 1 m nc ion li y - as colo ized h
o a E ropea .
To s s p s IS
au o
a ·a
ace ·e

cr
S CI

e
e.en
,n e s a 1 ya n
- r I 1 01 o aJ ana1
o pi e IC'
Fo Le Co u mer
. - -
1 agi a ro e h of .. e noJog ro
he dis a e h s
to emaj I vi 1 e n .
o, ei111c esence.
Th· glass walls ot h- -
cultural void.

NON-EVENT
Le Corbusrer names -h, , o pin of h, s: Carte·s·ian Skyscrapers
i1mplanted in their > - rk t 11 1n. nts of the jungle-the Radiant City.
1

1 f the Cartesian Skyscr per i th nUpode of Man.l .attan-s primitive,

infanti le Towers r t�1en th City j,. inaj ly Le Corbusier's
an I i-Man l1attan.
No race here of New Yor 's · oul ying me ropolitan witdernes
�'You are unde h
Vast lawns spre H .r 1 . n y u h ai· 1ts cl I and pure· there js 1

a dly an n ise ..
a ? ou canno e h g. are?
· oo I
hroug e 1 1n rab esq1
· o b a ches · 1n

2 5.

-- --

'
 a, ,s. " � is n
ha . o sa'j
"N be·a and clles-

ot I rar · 1rl-C 1 11:al rn;:.1g1c a· .

M Rzt J 1 _IJlliplies 1tsP.II Lo
1� cl e1 nt Ci y: le Corbu-síer's anti -
mv le l.

6
the sky toward those WJ ly e y , tower t hat soar l1igh r tha
a.ny pinnacle on · ar h.,
·�Those tra nsl ucen n I 111 h ai - w·thoru · hor-
a o be gro n , gleaming un r
- ray wrn _ r skie a e h . ge b o, . s o
f ic s .... · l
n esi n1ng t Ca 1 ac o o a 110n
b i ess o e o io ai s a
e Corb

10 an as 1c 1
ee e
n e fi s • t1 e pe s a d na ly
1 C s he ·
1
i h so ha au orno, n
(.= bu rness 11en -= ians edieval) can sh e
reely from1 ow t I
of hloro 1yU-producing age s
he solv,es fhe Problem I u i I f f ,Ca gestion.
H crea es he urbe n no 1� ve 1 w Y, own planne 'S have
1

always avo1ded ·. espH h i li víc j ): econgested Cong _ stion.

AFTERBIRTH
Through the twenties, as
A 11 h a m b ra , t 11 e K r tri I i n .
M is r r11ovi11g stone by stone th,e
- h
1 ' o buil l th ,m anew on the
I

banks o·f the Hudson' a Cor ·u .1 s N _ w York, srnuggles it

back o Europe mak 1 unre o , , n . � s a e s rt for f u tu re
reconstruc ion.
Bo h · pera fons ar e o forg d fabr e - b H
1an attan ·1 s a p i ·n t Ci1ty s - s a er ir· h a
, he r ical etro
�92 he irs f e e ear 1s a
i the Ia n a Vo� - , i

257
 OP.n gra 1Dn:
Pa rL - ·e · Yor , · r,.

sera rs an
1 s andu g
n mi d�e a

2
 .
p s.
e
-
1
e
1

E 1
1U 1
!
aplation 01' th 1
c hild s. · in whfch a piece of p2 per i.
foi ed h ar d e o
d ws nd º' ec so h t a o � e y b , is · re 1 ,e s d 11 o 'm
th Sll co SC�QrUS ..
1

e s s 11 e
at th r a ato ite corpse.'
Lo e s a de 'º s r
ar n o a p a1 n n ai ns ces of e ee
ser p d aw y o be replaced by 'ju ngl
caU ·d mobiJ' a ion o
o e
this pr 11 rs ele rry .
10 IS n
a
.. O r i ven I0n fro · its begii n I gs wa
s di e·c - a 1n he pure1�y for-
- lis d
s
�g 1n N ·w Yo k ·s skyscr ect the Ca tesi"_n kysct aper, fí1ripf
er sk o .. a e . . .
1 1 cl o- o ad lesce
� 1 cou nter ct witt horizo ai kys ra
p .rs. Pa li 'ty o

ri -,, d s: ro, d in Pari...

1 .s
Tn Radian · cry is inte de I as l1e _pot_
e,o is o·f an ex r1· en· 1n
a
e
�e Cor USI 1 s .ant,c . f ·orts . o ou
d1stance Mani a tan� he only way to
descri, h ne CI rb Uy nd 1n ,
11 en s rom
The onfy way hls cit can b unders
ood is b ca,nparisot and
� ·on

wo are Hk ·1amese ha · ro p o res · to eh

o p a e ar, · e

a ra n
au ho í 1 _ s o no . · , ke h e ad� n
I
roposal seriously. Thel
r Ject,1on forces L . C rb íer o ec me
C · .. SI n C rp b
, s e r I e . 1 u pr1nc a 1n ·
colo sal las . s,i per on an Odys ey fro
m Me ropoHs lo Metropoli .

2 59
- -- -
!n the best traditio 1s of .· r 1 01 - 1, 1 r · lf-índuced it is a
wor,dwrde Journey.
'' Last sprin he p 1 ! · ap o · he orldl sha 'in
the areas , e e h e se,�l The o
uns a ed art as
· a elona o f 1r s .··ve h r
o ers his rs h e a e to b e
op OSI e :he n
b an s
ato r 1n e
a IC .

;R - _ 1
1935 h a a o o
Eac · - a· ha os ea
o s s hic s of he ·na ura
ag a ·anal , o t pai ake�
' 1 _ ,an o go o ,A · r·c n o iQ nc ....
1hjs as ass1un1 n . th,e f n o i 1 •s
He saHs for N e,, York.
F r s hoc'k eff ct on a ival D- li
1 1
1
to r l1ze - retroact1vel_y - a
Surr·ealist project onglnally ln e lo u a is th ba'king of �-a
fifte n · rne er joaf ot br .. d.
The baker on boa rd off r · to k ver 2 ½ meters long (the rnax1-
n1 u rr1 capac1ty o f the s l,j p s ov n) Wi' 1 '* wood e rm -- tu re i n s!de � t so th.at
it wou ld not brea k I n tw·a t e mo 1en·I j b-eg �1. to dry....'� But wllen Dali
isemba rks an '' utterly isconc r·t i ng· hing Pt I ap ,ens: ; Not one of tl1e
reporters [ of a waiting grou l . sk I e ingl ue: tjon a bout the loaf
of bre,ad whict1 1 hf!ld conspi·cu 1 u ly . in , e whole intervfew' ·either i
1 -

m'y arm or restf g on t e o 1nd d large- cane� ....'

Th d�sconcer er di ·. co C , 1
i co_ r· 1st' n anha, n 1

.
1

.
Surr arsm ·s invi ' 1 .
.
R ,n or s ju ano e , a se fa t
.
among e 1 1 1 des.
-

�
y
i cou or 1 1m o oli b ro n o co e o .
J as h s cce s o 1n n he co in u
sup I · · icl 1 · pie traversin.g his for st so e li 10· o di e,
j

co� _o ld of reality rely on _ real'lty 1 • r 1. , .o b,

o even in 000d health
2�. lo , nch bread e o I s L nno i � ·11 rn 1

ín Man h 1 1 o _ Jch se.ale a ,:J° ns 1n hock

e

o u o ca Ji

so s·

,
· O

e ind e a f sh Is
o 1
S. posed ode s 'ª ·I a or •

e ·s r I er� a second ,e e n e -hi

r. s 1rpris I b .· he act ha in le riciyi,
e dle. On the wall1 of t e lev or ·her Wi copyo·
p nisl1 red v..lv t
'
y EI G reco h ung from heavily orn , m nted
'
pri11 · 1 íl

ri s- v lvet w s authen ic and probably o· h . mlt e e n '� ry....

1�

3" t s,1m n igl t a 11 has a dream 1nvolving · e o i i n nd I ion .

l\fte I w ully awckel I was surprised by the pe si ··enc o lh · nans'
ro rs 1 . · 1 11 ju 1 heard in my si ep. Tt1es roa w re 1 111 1 d with
ri s o - u k n · otller animais n1ore di ficult
·oll · by complete s11.ence. This sile e y oar
w s .o unlike he din ·h.a 1 o an
mecha icall city � ha I f. e ,y 1 • •

ealL
n o re t e lion - h n Zo
1d Cri i a �JU gle 1 � T
n nd ea 1 y of an

2
R-DE-IG- 1
To ac uir th rig' t o 1nvent I is own New York L ,cor usi r h s s 1e n
l o a o e , s
1 e_ y 1n o n.
1
ha tan t,h d,o s 'I -- ven wan
o be 10d rn�
.- o e Yo d e a o a
'F r h vin b - beginnring before e ny other city it I ow..
ai a h a h" .
a s is disco e y hro1 gh associa ·on , , d me aph r Parano1d-
C J1bcal re es� n: New York is i t I wh:: r 1U hís o ·es o trin s
010 s o e f s- e im l-
aneous1'y. Thi: l1n rity of I is-ory is short-circui ed to e lebr te fínai
s sm o
s e n e lt re.
e Yor - o a e an Egy1 t� B,_ e Egyp. 1 ed 1ns'� , e o 1 � • • Sh
erecte py am1· s o s� ,very to· ea h a d you ·rec pyr m·ds o
e o e e o I s y cr all e
a the poir, 01
Yor su ec on o - n ic D ea h
con .c1 us. e 1rk oU of ho his 01 1ca ard ob s a. -
- th ti1 s 1· d s eu i ver ed
e o o sa s
. .
nta1 rite of your Roxy TI eaLre? And
'
·what 1ran .SI nvented th orn
hG s ave ore u a o p
colors '-a lu r h s m1 of he C-h s rB dd1ng?

EFFICl1E I C 1
l
lri h�-s blin ra,g1 , L Carbusier has tripped Ma1 hatt n towers,
ex ec ing o 1n a ion I e re e_ Da i I o
1 S IS pe rei 1n - e ex poses
wi1 1 a jolt tlle · hLrn 1 1ess of Man1l att n's ragm,a, íc dissii l1a· io -- ·t 1

e ·s s o·
. ew Y:ar· ts only eff'1 - 1en y is its poe 1c e fiei ncy.
�1 poetr o rs o er -e - s· e 1 s l

poe ry o or 1s o g.a or an o cal es lun s

org n o· B bel, ar,g ln o ba tas e, arg o e ·u U y· or an vlrgin
n s
Til po try of N ... w York is not fha of pr cti'c- ! concr -te buildi g 11 at sera . _s
t e sk h po . ry · f w ·- ork is h f a � an m- ,.-.... or n .cJt. . .--.

1 o -1 d s o scra1 s I it esoun i i - i h h co ass of h

ys ole . nd iasto�e of ti e vi e r I can· icl o el emen, ary bictogy .... ' 1

·-
2 _
Dali prepares this Man I
t,v t ,e llen antidote to the
puritanica! apo�ogis - o 1
h f ·rrunc 1onaiJ1 sm' who have
ried o ·mpose N·. · i� r �stjc virginity. _
1· e have all ma 1e 1 o k ·s no prisma ic
Ne Yor ·s not w ·, - u Yo is id e .
· .e o iS a rou n p r

o. E
.
n an F 70 1
1 spe ial n h e CI

:p ca
e 1n

a
IS a
e n r u
li! - • •

IS o

e t u o o n· · e I a
b r h1° er 1an a o ano he ? -

_RRI AL 2
lso 1n 11935 1 · yea s p
s _ u rn d by wo L wr
1 ons n
lhe accumula ,ed bi t , n ss o
fadure of aH attempts o rr n ..
ling on the doors ep of ,ts , tu
For h�rn no reporters.
' Jacobs,' saíd le Corbusi r [ . til ir, • r r ter engaged for him by
MoMA, sponsor of I is · os i� ·. , in i· s
1 1 y lass . nppe
I i s for N I w Yor '{ . i t �
hrrea er�ing a ter he
o �ay the phan. om tound­
, .nd ins 1gate paternjty su i 'ª
np rgn to �mpose real Modern1sn-1 1

on the USA] wh · re ar th , �,. agr 1 . rs?' Jacobs ... found that the
1

press cameramen on boa cl w .. re k1,n · pie u res af other ceiiebrit les.

He sJipped a newspaper n Jve . r .n I im �ored him o take a
JII I
fiim. ·he pho,ographer,,
a1
re u rning the money. B ·. wev , tie snapped
h·s, mpty e ·me .. t L r
ol i e . . . . PC ac, i
rec o e anno b.
. . .
· ec. de SI a s , Le ln IS ·e or as
D U bread.
 J, ol s ·. i v 1 a I ti m es, as h e ri f I e th · gh i
p .. jw _1 is he p1cture they ook o t ·

o _e e 1 oc e le Gente a f,e · o � a hi r ·IV 1

o k s ha d-borlled r p hi
h ie a e su r iv rs o on
i,

he e a

ee es aU e
ar p � so a

T o o a 111 h

·ha e ideas 1 bring n

. .
t, h nt e· .i 1 lí hí O-n ur
ou ,. ,.

. '
r g ound has to lb f . t"lized by mo . 1 IC

t u ology
o r con r An · rican cities and especially Man tt n, i· ijs it s
naw a I a·ce where the reconstruction e e . lt is
w/rich is I .rge enough to ho/d six million {Jeople..
Mc11 h it I f is n ow o n e o·f t h e �as remai n i n g - re . o gl b o
yet ex ·ase o e Corbusier's Cartesian hard s li.
1- i · l1is 1 · e ndicl
º'
id.

u b yon 1 1 o · 1 or unistic urgency there 1s a s e I d ti11 1· ·

: tl1e ,e.a,I Manhattan confron s L 1e lik '
s- · i 1 h ti e - agili y of his li CI !11 101 s
noid-C ·jtical ,ej fo oe ts u
s o 1 . sys em� e Is o o
• 1
'

. .
SIS 1 · o A
childis IS 1 1 n
r s . LI rs o h·. · r I hIn

2 6
Uii JI W!'i11DLI.
tt, . d,!F"' 1>f M:IWwno,;: m�U,:üm
li wbe:111 tLci,· �­

N W Yt,L1 (:la.}·. foT a.l11"J,lt1 1 1

pl.11111:.1"1 1!'1-;1 li I h 1lcy t-11.jm
llilnir t.!mH;, oJ r :fü!>;,1 1 111 ,t,,r .m.1 111 .Ut
t,(,ln;P D l),• 11.-;,;
.Mr 11,."li, Eljil,
Yut'l:

Loo� �. Critrcall)' - .. :· Shock �vé1ves o

t's. i1 nv I e. s reco ded in N e'y'v Yo 's
Yes, S vs Le Corbus1 !&, •

n Ci, cula ron� _

over e 3, 5. 1

2 7
Ma111attan s Skyscraper o u r's I n , r s.
By s u bs t tuting his an l- li M nha - n le Corbusier
ou o only assure hi1 p, ly o or � ut
des oy in he process P e no·d-Critica�
es o his co ce _ ai

h ansIgence o h ro d ra
e -a 1a

1 a

e E

s ge
·C
o

EDES G - 2
O 1· s discovery o an o en -·_ ,'rictly e a I s
con uest he eto e co,, , I R i' - ysique he
1
re as the opol s i1 - u n1 U �a ion of atavistic
-nonu111ents engaged 1n proces o. -tic r _ produc fOJ7� Cerebral
.s this project is i r rned,a 1 -• t 1 11 h' ui face as one o-f he
,i 1, y e rs J, t h at cons i tu te M 1 . t ta n . u - i e t ao , e s L n der t h e i n f I nce
o Manhattan's speculativ · del:iriu1 1. ·Nigl at� ,y at each step h1 New r
York I find pretexts for · f 1le I· 1 for 1 n a I co 1s'tru ct1io11, for d ream s o·f
extraord i nary, cheeri ng tomorrow - ne r I ha ....HJ() But his design for
N �w York is literal, archit e u r 1l n r fo - . ,r impla usíble than Da I í
h e · ri d - ·• per f ec . . . l n t _ a oe I e J rs - ' - is to be sera p e-d of f t h e
surface o the island and repl - -1 y gr , 1 e m 'C wider networ f
leva - d hrghways·
C. ntral Park-� ·oa lar- -1 k
mui i Hed ro g o t Man -
- yscra e s - · too s 1
r i e ca� Ca - ss a d fra
h . e

2 9
 /:.-

1 1 i

TO 1

e fi I ve Ca es,a
So red,e.si·gned Manhatta will' ·for ix m illJ n in h·abi ants· Le
Corbusíer ''wHI res ore e: r1 ÍfTH 11 n roun . . 1 ·ay ·for th ruined
properttes .. " give • i y ver n circu a· ion: all '· e
g 0 1 nd · par s s tri p 'h a1r o· leva ed road
a fe roads (one . , y m an
oi ng . si pi 10
m e C , SI e JS, sol J i
ains a a a o s r loo 1 10

a o. s ec ·zable�
e. a sa .la

do s

a il n o
e s r

h 1 · a JS t h
co· e o s _s on o I od
The Eu opean ·s p o· ra h, 111ne Ag ·s h e icíenc of
anality:· � to e a I to pe1 y u _ - tclr o sky� o live "e r a
t e.e- beside a lawn�' o g, fr. on s y r p-r o anather.
E ve r_yd a y l i e w 11 11 regai n · s e t n � i- u .- · n 1 · y 1 1 íd
1
t h e • esse n .ia I j o y s '
a sun space and vege l o
. o · ier wiit h an extended
ion. T ·
períod of breathing in b tw · 11: li spi· .. o h o i1 ism of the Machine
Age the Oid World visi I r m in tr 2ic.
Le Corbusier has pati nce, As , li - . ranoi cs, hings are going hrs way.
uReal ity that is the lesson of Ai
lt gives your baldest sp cul ti. h , e r _! · y of irnrninent blrth ... � 31

EXPOSURE
Mean hnle, througho t e 1 I' I i 1

nha ·an. Th na u oUs a Surrea sm · ·

r nsla .e·d i o as e I p i es a Time cove s ry.
Bu · his popularj .1 o d o 10 ake Darn·a e res
i a es oet y..

27
272
Ever since the non even he f n h br ad D1 1 i has pondered a visfbj
Surrealrst perfor1manc i N I U Y ct a ('. 'pt hc demons r.at1on o
he d1fierence bem, n t , ru Der í ma1 ner' and a the
sam · _1me to ce-febr o , ic redes�gn of an t e n. ·
, hen Bon tt eUer · � in ·o .. on ·t h ,
DaU concei es a
st ee � at o o ,as
i h s upor e rrealis . eco a 1v- ·
t cur ain

a s
a as

se e

1
a o n
space o ire o
amai s
anrs 1 u
h n D,ali etu n midnigh co pi.e i:o - o I s
· he shoc1 va� of h1· ·
emoved a og t 1e J

of th e i n tierior h ys
'Everyth�ng� bu· e _ ,sol. Leen changed by the s o,,.
n anagement so tha t s •
1
r -a Lob tomy ·s restored.
-or onc-e Salvador Da:lf ·u n i t Eu r e _ n pu ritan to defend t he righ-�s
of the artist.
Fron1 insrde he store, h � ent, r I e wi ow·, e ttempts to lfft and topple
the bath. 'Before I could
1
1... · n si e it slipped rjght up against he
window so that a 1 · mo e wh n in supr 1.e effor· 1 finally succeed d
i n u.rn i ng it o ver i t eras to, t 1 : · , ·s sha tering rt in to a
thousand prec s
11

A e 01ce:: Dai 1 .· an re·· · he store or leap 'through the

r dow bris l1ilng . ,i h 1 ai - i es of n an er:
e j m s. T r pn o - n e s no- a 's-la 1 �

·01 · io of a n
s he alk b ck �5 y
 an s yli e

(L,,, ·, 1 e

27
 oll e ai ncl h- a r a I y la e s a
ex la1 ed · polog a ·o . rre me....
A Paranoi -Cri ical ac t a b n hat an.

BLOB-
De to r I s o r si r 39 o s Fa · r s
on the top lo u rldl ng. Th e o ject of 1ts consider
nc o
o is · o o 1 1ea

8, 1 e· . et of telescop roof of th d 1· · ft�ng

. .
bro g oun s 1n o e 1e r v1 � nd n _ coul hec ha a
ra · 1n ac - s . cond 11 10n .... -
Th Fai 11 self �s cone ive, as an .. n i mM 11 ha· tan: '' By w y of con r e s wi h
, he S e .e s
1
a. ac. o � a
win owless� o e-s ory structu r es ar �f ici f ly HI u mJ nated and v n ilated.
Th b en asp e a I la k s o
tion 0 1 culptu e mu s nd ha o s eas b · vt· es n
Th p vilions mo lusc shells lo k li er, so
an a a 11 s S ser e·rs e e u
befo e hey cau ld. r ach th - ir �st nt des 1nat ion: th ne d les.

PLA:ST R
A on · es j li s a I es, I' h, s ·s · s a e
plas1 e pa on ha con a1ns . e Dr,e 111, f Vi . u .. Uni0ff1,. 1aUy 1 i s . m, d
''
1

20 000 Le s Und ,r the

1 1
a.'
s a s1 - i ,d by p ·e a I e 1can o a -
hoo ·- rean, a hle. ic strong, y . f m rn in a1n - sed uctjv
s 1 1 s ss bl 1 s a s
Ma ha 1 - _ n1 m s wis · o in isa! ti th u1 sp- e kable ·ehlnd lhe fac de
he m on
ln adi g IS la; on h ale o an1 _n
1
ough or s o 1h
'
buil 1n o s ecr IC f ag of l 0 ·n1an are� 1 e
1
,- ur D irs
m id11 s.

E· SP E .E
m exhi
. - Try�on
he central f 1eatu1 of he ai �s ti ,e t 1 nd
e - m p e e - . _ nc e alace s a s r a p
of he wo orm I ol s , e def anha an'
, d · ee, �e� Un onsc 1aus�y h mar s he f an t-
so, rs r a e h a or r o
com !·e ly ep ra ed.

275
 1 li

Y-

colla Jse o lan at­

.x e l I non1e11t vv1 e f\·1c1 n h.a d n's
11 1 h i w n v · i o t7 of h e
u I i I e · 11' t u ,1 e 1· t o co n t o11 e d
· 11d 1· · , wtl t 1 �1el own ·,.dsion oi

276
The Needle of the Tr lo 1i n ull r IS e111p y.
The Globe �s the lar ev I íl o oi r a kind: its d-am ter
ts 2,00 feet exac· i · o n b�oc
T e Per"sph re ·s no· rn _ h rch - · o - Me n1 a an s Sk_y-
s ra er: a G ob e aU e n s h _s ,1 i -h 1 1 a
.
1

.
road as a e· y blo 1n no m s1ze o Ra io Cí
SlC aJ 1. ...
nsp e ! - 1 e h 1n ado s, s o I e
• 1 ol do e

·o
, eu

s a
p
T o e e ·h cen e
blica s r
. . e-
o ac·1yof.an.o san
-
'T rsis m. 1 1s one o s1 · p e
io 1al bun - in -s - 1 os of th � u h, n, s J ounded by g e·en
vegetat1on and ean ai ....
. .
Thirough intern1ediane , L C ri s1e s wo . l1e ci y ín · he first and
la t G�obe Tbwer is lhe
1 dí n i y. r I t11s monitorlng position in Pa Í'S�
l1e proudly claims cred1 �. ricc.1n architects r. alize
that t he u ngu ide·d Skys r _ r is ns. non
HFor those who see far. New York is no 1 - g 1 ·I e ci ·y of the Future, bu1
o f tlhe past.
jN ew York. wit 17 its random, u n r �te d . ow �rs wi hout suffic ient ai r� that
N ew York wll I frorn 1939 onw"1 r 1 1 tI i.dd le age ....''�,

r·ouE E T
o ld Wa· 11 postpo 1 s f1 ,n l
O OCc USl p Un r · 1ves · h a e
r nc ho
-
n nterna m · SI �º _ allac _ ar s n
ho is o u·d h n u L o bu re es _ rance.

277
 --- ----
f'
-- ,.i i
1 f 1"1 'l ; 1

,/
1

'lM ,atta t5
eri g
r - as 1 1ve
t •

78
 a os as a -1 e s - es e
O . 1
. .
. SSI -1 - eE 0 S 1.
n Se e 9 6 Ne Ci lly invi h U - ed on o
k 1ts pe nt hom
Now si es in 17e N1 ew Yo k area are con ered: Jers y City, Westcl1 ter
Cou n, Y�- ILI' g Me dows .. " Al1 ! this s · ·rch IS pr se: the r 1 t , ,get is
anha 1 f as it I s has b a vu Co 00 s
a a ,.

Fí e Co s o a
he i1 o - h1s d on an n.
ollows ,a r1od . hat 1 u 1atic fo .. 1 li ,art�es invo�ved
Ecch day UN design commnte, 1 11e ts in Rockefell r Center (i s ele­
va ors ar. on ly part Le Corbusi . r ev r adrn its I i ki g). Fra ntic aw to
j
1

delaye· , 1nrling Rad-an a an. Corbusie,

T o a
h e a on
eo e
does a -a o ·e_ a only iv rsi n
ct�cs 1m 1 • 1C Ora· 1V1 SS ng for- essen I _ O, d�ng - 1 O S
And Le Cor usier's urb. n1sm contain no metapho, xcept tha the
,An i-Manha · n, which is., in New Yo k 1u seductiv .
1 Le Co b 1r s U N, 1 h o ice s]ab pl,-ce-d e ac 1 le
aud- ori ai· hou · .. loc. on
•

o
e
- 1
ec u 'º e rop li d Ban
1d of gra
o Le Cair u . 1 er'. this bu n ing is a me icine, bitter , haps 1 bu · imately r
b nefic�aL N w York will ol c:Yfter ailr · r .sh the U N i r,eceiving it. On
he contr , h UN w1 ring to a h _ N w Yor ' eng expec e crjsis,
hrou 1 in , h o resol
e 1n e
e e.
n-1 no1ac li e 1al · IC
h' ·re er h o s - IS - m e ,. H r ' ·m . · rtu ab e in t
of the Frenei, rrent 0'1 r iculatron i remain i · ontrol o UN
project as .,rch1tecture, no· heory.
1 , Corbu � i1 r Is no i n v i1 , ro a d mi· n ir ti r Ma n ha n i , s �na 1 1 e I e i' n .

279
 o h or s lo

o absorb
h e 1ss ia 01d:
H 1n i d tutl

2
B,efore any desi.gn i ·. i l.iz h go , 1 ame� once rn:ore disgus :ed wtth
he, 'World's ungra, e u n - n pe_ �l p I o daunted by he ''criticar
di ficunies pose by his v si1on.
1 just co I n'1 i 1ne hi. · 1 ilin h e I t 1u1 waU a 11 ace H arrison
r me1m ers s ill a xí · us 1 · h O · la r.

1
e es1 o n ea eara ce o th ·
as ·e o 1a e UI en .r
.
of . e 1. . s ai , IS rs. e IS no re
an, Spl __ o

aL ul ss
SS1 e· OS· dl a
e
·, t a an
e- e n
cs
rb IS 1n e
lo per ai · e 1c
1g en1 p . nded i e ai .
As ea r s I co I d u 1 1 h e n e pre er ( do
o s. eak Fre e )
1
arr-son is an ad e �- ect. ike that o fie · - ·s
his attitu e is a 1 s the me i s of L e Cor1 .usier s
1

proposa,I bu1 1s ov s explos·v, ragment of a

· n �-M.an hattan nas I o ' on, 1' ro ar US'i. r s U N is, after ali
. , n- 1. undered of its metaphoric
and irrat1ona I contamu-1 · n s h o h L Corbu -i r's equally irrational �ílter
preta ians. Harrison res ar s it in o · nc -. ln h1 elaboration of the UN -
transforming it from I ory to o j e - lte e, re ully removes its apocalyptic
urgencies � �jbuild m oreis ! - 1, .� undo s the, pa�··anola.
As Le Corbusier tried o r 1i1 M, nh tt . o· · onge-hon sa Harrison no,w
drains Le Corbusie(s Vill , 1� o i eology.
ln hi.s sensrtrve ,and profession I h s j· s :s _ract abrasív,en,ess
m,ellows to t�1e point where becomes merely one of
Manha tan�'s encl ·es ai b1 , Ili · e, h r one rso,a ed island of
i'1

Manhat an s ar hipe1i - o ..
e Corbusie- has . li no 1 h- n.
· e nha . anism I as a. ed n in li ··.. ed Le Corbus�er.

28
 d�on

o
a
e

copp r a,r . 1es a ncl

ly v� ai h at

nis co cll ia
carcJ oard.
Postmort .m

CL.I.
a h ge a - a 0, ,. o
e ·re
. . . .
·· 1c I e re e s10 o
oc ac
Cit o r Li d. r s 1ne .o su
ha co- n 2
m1 es h
-
h ng·s · sun .. n s ec o 1S hr
bu� d1ngs a d the h i frastruct -
en i ed s utt íng f eleva o
1
d and , op e speeding o
ains underg o nd.
But beyond his 1 OQQ. ·rre 1 1 1 hr1eint1e1Metropohs h
,model exhibi s an '.' 11 o- 1 i�r urbin i nova lrQíl.
Man'h.at an lhas bee11 ben �-
Th1e spin e of the Grid ha, b · -n orG i I to � si íg�1t curve, so that its
streets converge · t a ai nt sor 1 wl7 1 r � n th derise crowdl t hat h,as
rushed to witn ss t 1
1isl2 nd de·scribes the iniitial
,ec acle. T e curv
section of a e i rele that- if com . I '.'. t d, wo I · h. 1 t he audience ca ptive.
Among the m,u�tiple anxi -ti -s of 1 · 1 e l 1�rties., Manhattanism runs
.. n e n nl . be r ali.zed as a modeJ-
M·an ha.--ta nism can be concl· 1 e clima1x i,n cardboard. Thris
r ode is a simulacrum o " he · o. gestion completed'- i s
presence at I he Fa r gg s n :ts, IJ is I
oom:ed to remain
an impe fec appro j 10n O 1 1 · S
1
1

o 1 1- 1 h�s xhibit- hich

an , cit n · t o lig , 'ra elin alon
he cos 1 ic curve o r la 1v11
 e•
nce a

w I i e ti . nd os
·, 1 he ot l1er ih
e e Je r bu í I n per
o t'll e tiv,to entr ca

,r I iro rnd c1 a1 n
d scri bes the pl1 e1 � rAd ... {.Nc w Yo
_t• I era/o Trú'-J .in �, V!J' lcrs
'N li a special F 1r S G i H'l, A.pril o, 39·,)
U e 11 jre sl1 v.,.. 1 e -:v,.,o rnin J1c

2
HERJTAGE
Democracl y- a Me - F ure - n I
City o Light have a s1ng e
architect· .. an e H r a 1

lhe fac that o e ar LC . i!dfy d. e -en

ec ac!es­ a h ot er- ill mina s
.
he acut e i hu erboltL ar ,ed a
ou s
o' oc . H r o
r
I
1 1

a e e
a
1 .

r o
n
ss-
m - o­ e bu
e for e S 10 d · a chi-
ec ror ;h o .017.
as ,ts cre V d ca a o soph�s icat d
arch� ects pos1ng a - ilis· -1 an hey _ ould ha e
' .
een as pirei or - u� s. u p es, rva 10n ensures s
not even o them­
se l1 ves- Man hatta �s a, - 1 it ct 1 ·h·?m to the ,grave.
They l,ef aH the1r rnas rp1 ce w1 no ment.
Manhattan llad become, - ·Y · h - 1l 1 rt i s, a n en ign1at·c her�tage t hat
the next generation coul t o lo r decipher.
That made Ma11hattan's archit e L� se p íb�e ta th e ravages of Euro-
pean idealisn1, as .h,e lndiat s ha I
be n to
1
easl s; Manhattanisn11 had no
defense r11echan1ism a ainst h . vi uj 11ce . ny explici ideology.

HAMLET
arrison is Ma n h an ·s 1l1ast ,en , _ o h possilJI �,' is h is tragedy - ha 1

after · ·,orld - .ar 111 he o - i -ith he subHme

� o longer can a chi e - n s p1 1 om ca�cul'a�
ions hat - a h · pos ar are ec u 1s h
accountants e - n 1 s dreams.
he re on nd- y e r o
Walla � K arrís{ n, M, nt1a I e n's Ha

can
orl.
o

pr< ·ram
n D b·c
on h
a
F.!1211

ma 1c.

1 tncoln e ps o1 u, , of
Co .stio1 Jy e· ealed.

co
(H · 1 r r s n s s :; e d · ·y G · e

288
real· y- h s re 1 urne o 1 unt M nha t n� he res I s not 'p . hng · hr
-a · b e a e r e ie p ·, . r; er: i.
un· n las con adie on i ms 11anh 1tta s.
Harrison·s car ,e is rnarke·d by this wani g of Manh ttanism 1-r beco111es
1 a a a ' Hamje : .om ,, es h ac s as i e st· o s h
S•. ,_ s s n o 1-

ln , na e o ode ni y, n- 1k e a 1 1elucta ,,
1 ·o
strip Man · attan ste by step, of �ts are Hec 1ral ar sets· 1 .ut . he s rme
h .e o a anis a s o i'
n ec oes

c·uRVE

Ci1 y o· ·� r) X·Ci · h1 U he ,Alco , n 1d Co1 11ng

bui!dings l La Gu ,rdia Airpor and Lincoln Ce.nter de· crib,es the tanglb�e
s a s of hi a · alence
.
s · · 1 s ,.....,,.._ r . ·rs. o Co us e s
ViU1e IRadieus con,ec ·on of low ,, s in park on 1 1e Eas R·ve, si, e a, 1 he
fater U N. as r veailed once .agai1n �n Ferriss r ndenngs,
·· a n s a y E ro ·n 1- _ re 1
e s era eco 0s1, ion o o si bs cu .. ed in lan -
straddli 11g n au, iton I rn th · Is cu rved in bot·h pran a nd sect1on.
Thos curv s - 1nce . ,� y o - Light he s.ec et sym ol. o ben de 1ni I e
an a e s
-Ci y c1 r obsessi el in · h u· · ,ot onlJy is roof of th
auditorium curv d bu Jnsid ther �,s a d,izzyl ng coj lection of cu1rved a 1-
ha. e ísí o t h· , ·e o e1 r .· x - ct · · u t·
e r . bs i · 1 d ca · e o a in
e .- e h ur e
The l�ne o, agpol s ly1 ng ,, he · ations flag a'long Fi rs Aven e inf I cts
1

,ud . · nly �n the , 1ddl· , owa . · the, ma� 1 5,jab to for Harri on s l,ong
a
e os -e .acula C r I d . C lbu y pJa O 1 .. a dia
Airpor . Th buil ing s uiding concept 1is a curve th. t nuns its fuH l'ength.
l 1 s su spe s ( h e do s í d ?) 1 rei rc by b I oc I n· o e
e in I r o I a I s· ,
_ ro
o rn ur ain aU Manh an is pe p tually sh1 ouded in mi's .
The ame cuirve r urn j,n hi A!co Buil ing ( he . n1 rance·s are form as
cu a1n · a is I' d li a e r e) . nd e C 1n
a B - 1ng i ro s ir a ol e in h
orm of .a curved xte,· ; 10n o' h 1
,�rrored lobby ce'iling).

287
s even agoni ed -
ec an ], an 1 1e k1dney

nen

t vers1on a o
li r Ce
D cem . r 5� 1955
Harri·son�s oeuvre is a sec pe h p ven agonj.zed-dialec ic 1
betw,e·en the rec. ngl .. nd t ey · h _, b -tw·een rrgidity and
freedon11. H ts f�rs architectur I i.,: �s 1. e ived frorn1 Ie Modiern ·s1m of
·or ins ancel Ca1fdet L'g r, Ar· 1JII h�- ,ds-is ai · .a.ys 10 propose
some curv- �near an Lth si D 1ha n - he most --lori-
ous example b·· r 1 • of cai r · en ha fib,erati
· p lse s rrenders o t e ím Gri1d· he f e,e o
o ced back u nco fo ab Je.
Onl· 1s u e , a1ns a
ha cur e s .f
�s lioyal 1es
d e - osed a -a
o t o

11S

IS n
-
a
.
1nspec 1. .. re oac I e
ealiz.a o o e· i t e e e s 'ro
lo , s o s a 0e and bac -
n io Ci y · USlC a 1.
1 u · enmus o Roc i· �s a· ieas five p -ojec s a
1
· e sam 1 e i I e. ln pos a an,� Lincol1 C n 1er is doo e to be
one project on y. 1 s no , .e -,u 11 -_ • no parks on tlhe ten
1 loor- no nth floor-. nd mj , in o· · o, 1aU ar1 he commerctal
s.uperstructures o the Sky cr p r ·
lhe munificenc 1e of its cu,I ur1e-lovjn ·. t · n h .s 1f1naUy m1ad·e possible he
subsidized existence of · op , onlv. . · e ter on/y, a ph"lharmonic only.
L
Culture lovers have pald or , I e d1 · olution of Ma.nhattanism's poetic
densJty. T'hrough its amnesi , Ma h tt I no longer supports an rnf,nite
nun1.ber of sup,erimposed - n un e ic e bl1 ctivities on a sing.le site;
it has r·egressed back to the cl r1ty pr -di abillty of univa!ence - to
he known.
That is a deivelopment Harrison e ·ot r si,· . Bu, _ ven in L,ncol ri Cent,er
he reminants o h rs. ol � ·1 fai h r _p 1 • 1r ·n .
L'ncolln Center s rai1 sedl pod'um cho o·f C·or. e,,. s · Venetian r� version of
Rockefeller Cente·r- is nof I ing u l1 u ' s�and', ha nane o'
arrison·s earlier collea ues I n o

2891
AiLPHABET
TI., Y uiJ- ings of RockBfell1 er Cernter W U e
co M h '. n
as come uU ci rcl e: once a· a1n, · i . sI1 1
I
1
s1on
op o ne here arb�trarily on has fi lly
Ya 1
Zae h. e
B h 1 e eZ ano s · giu 1 plOSil. no
. .
1 e .he original 100-s o i1 1n nd e a s
.1 n1 rQ a n ai a.ce �

..
he un·sphere.
ut ghos 1ke and tran p ren , rh I o con· 1 s.
·. rk e o s ,e contrnents cling 1
es · r ·l1 y o t 11 e 1rc,1ss

-.
D
 V 11 l'clngs - �ost\ivar add �ion Lo
íloc • 1 t r: 1ar a Yfü7 t5r7t u ,Hs rn d.

sphere. ,e G o
Q

a d
, 1zes he n �-errej21 10n or 1e
nd T ir year ·ng o
rstar1d1 ng�
1
"
 IC a.
10

ropoli S' 1ves o r- ac , my hic poin ._ e _ortd i com­

1 1le
l 'efy fabrica by man; ,o · a' i abso�u' · lly coinc1d s W'I h his ,esi s.
h Metropolis J· n addictiv machi:ne , 01 which th r �s no esc,
un ssitoffe:sth-t too .. � ..
'hr gh his p , s�venes 1s enc ·· s beco, e �1k e
h placed. ··os i 1descri ble.
s ha
o a· 10n.

r � 01bJíqu · ·' ontains hid en s co · rgumen : · h the o o 1s

n eds/dese ve, it- wn sp. ,ci lized a· clhit 1e c: u re � on1e I can vind ic
the origrrial pro1 . ise of the n tropol ita n cond it�on and eveiop t t1e fresh
r i ions of h Cul u re of Co ngestíon fu h r.
1

n ata s ar
se pa o
r ca
n·
- , e onicle in o e s I e.li o _an a. an11s
s I it had bre rn ·, o sudd nil 1 . posed o d yHght- 1,, pendi 'Should
be r .garded s f;ctjonal conclusion an iti · rpretation of , he sarne
rn. ·, ria 1, no hr ugh word u t fíl a seri s ot a rct1 itec � !r · I prajects.
T propos .· il re he pro i 10 ai p o · 1Manh n1sm as _ co ·
cmous doct · e o.se pe i nce is - o li 1ted o
I isla d

293
T1 Ci e Cap · e I o e 1 _e_o - 10 e art1 ·1c1 , ncep _1on
,cc I rate I
b r h of I heori · , ,nterpre . · 1 s struction
proposals and h ir ínfHct1or, on t he Wor11, . 1 is th · e . i. ai of Ego where
ci. nce, ar , poetry and fon11, of rnadnes compete ur, -, ideal cond.i-
tlo -s to jnv,en destroy ,an, he wo ld of pheno n ·1 Reali .
eh Sei nc o a - ia h lo . s ands an iden �e

S -1 la
, hs. o e e o,
ph s,1ca� con i ions. Fro e s o g an1 e each philo o I y
.· s he rig'h o expand 1nd fin,i 1 ely tow r, , eaven. So e o,f thes 1 ocks
present �imbs a ieon11plete e r .... inty ,and s r ni y; oth isplay so t
i 11 ctunes of I n ative co j e u 1 es and hyp,notic sug .· stions.
e e anges I is 1deolog1 yline �li apid a , IC

ec · ele o · jo o 1 _ e' o
il o a
re s ecul. 1ac 1 ·. 10 :
A heory ha r s
A m. nia hai sti cks. 1

A li that tias •· ·orne a ru 11.

A · iream f1 ro,m w ich there í no wakíng u .
,A 1es,e mame s he pu s of te e� p i 1G lo e u nded
cen e Ci . eco es appar · an s
n 1 e a
o
Th ough ou f veri -h h1 _ , e Ti r , e G ob 1• .a s e1 · 1 s
e1 perature rises slowiy. l n pite of' the , t h um1lli t· g setbacks, i
a , less pregn ncy su rvjv ,s.

2
l e e Ca

29
 h C�ty o , h C ptive Globe vvas a frst, intuitive ex lo ia 01
M nJ · . n· hil ec ure drawni before r,esearch wou S' bst
,nj.c.u e
of m1 opo�l1tan cu - ure ts change-, 1 ·· t LI. 1
- ss _ .ce of , .he concept city 1 e
e c,e hen o ly e 1hre und o
h Ca. ive Globe �s ase- -G i . nd sch m-
e e opo 1s o
o ,e- s e no 1 O
_ n· s o con nl - describes 1 s
ore _ ac rs a
. e · o -'""ª -
ec . · isl - IC

ago - , e S
1 p 1 _ 1

• a a-.
, 1

and . h1is r

o o m h j
10
ln s a o Qi e ore e co1 1c' ·e
an e_ - a · -here pe ma ent n-onol1 h e leb
il i1 •

he h ee axio111s have aJlo, ,- - d an 1 1 n

· rc - i ecture and hypeir- ·fiei nt -. clh1i I o t
nod.· rnall.
Th ojec s that 'OI I ow are ·nterpreta, ions and m · -�if11c tions o
t es, xioms.
Ho·' - S 1 h n s radd� t -o · ocks at 1e in r'Sec 10n o· B o,a . ,nd
- _ :venth Av, nue, a si condiiion of Manha t n that (wi h few -. xc pt�ons)
h s faiied to generat - 1its own ypolo-gy of ur an form.
� s�ts facmn . Ti es S- e its cl I s on ti -_ souther block its ails
o e nor n 1
a a e g.
·
_ gro .1 d nd e
1 f oors on' a1 e 110 s are e_ n _io1 ns
1d addj11 ion - of the qu1es, ional 1le f1ac1nties at give 11 · - Time.s _ uare,
_ rea �ts eh ra.cter. Tl1, y .are designed to ccommod te he luxuri nt
d mand O' "dewal ivit�es a.�o B,roadw· y and · eiv nth Av nue ..
1

nce liab 7th · _, __t ac1n uare

e

1 e
sulbw y station com , d as a ii�t li lk U th
subway st Ions thal now serve i e 'Times 1uare ar - . The re of the
S hinx c-ont in esca I tors a.scen �ing to a 1, rge foyer erving th,e· _t rs
orrums ba1Uroom confere: e. and b.- n uet roo- s O er
e . s of .he S O o
· ica I d' ·o , s1 ,e 01 o
- sl e Je sey.
1 lh[s restau -_ nt is an o tdoor pl
1 y,
TI ,_ oo · 01 ound garden · or the
surrou nd i ng residenti I accom 1 1oda ion � t� _ f lan ks o· t lle structure.
his, accom I i1 odati,oni e nsists o coJ1 lecti!on of ainy 1�m 1ginab,� num ber
un s· ho i b ,droo 1e nd s r te d sui· s or a ien
a s
, -e .,n ·oa oi
ould sul· f �o 1 , e -a r, , ess of h s1 e and ,_
· _ e ieve _ r east-we views. twin 1 0W rs · ha , orm the t i[ of the
Sphinx cont in north- - cing d.ou b�- -h,eigh s tud io a partm, .nts i whil the
,ci nnecting �dd.le sec 10n is a o fice bloc o lhe r S1i �, ts.
- ec o th - S _- ac� g T1 _s qua res1 e cl s
soe· J ªli' ·s:
ª e - - _ on 10 e C1

he circu _ s
- , ided b _ h 1 umf - r -_ ·f c�ubs r h
occu ,y i1. Tlhese lheadqu , 1e rs
for tf1e various trades a nd professions to wh�cl1 the r si ents belong,
I

eh displa1yi g its ide1 , íty and p ocl1aimin, _ � s mess ges by me n:s of

e ideolo � billbo d cons uc 10n s I e ce of he o _ r.
s o Ti - S ar

297
 Ho 5phi · � 1n

2 '
The head of the Sphinx is . - dic I e · o physical cul ure and relaxat1on�
lts m1 ain feature· ÍIS íng p, ol1 A � 1 ,ze. ser en divídes I he pool
into two parts: �1ndoo
1 nd 0iu1 · o .. Swi ,- r e, can d�ve under th,e se een
fro one part ro he o her. Th . r sec i n is u_ ruund,ed by · o 1r
s ori1es of locker room d - ,_ �ck aH sepa1ra es ese
ro · he pool space. A e cI y ca be enjoyed
rom :he s all ope . · ·n · e o door pa of h
pool eras direc' ly o g. .r e pool is a:
1 e 21r1 d a s· i­
o ons an 1n enc,e
s pro a - -
ne · . a ec o · es fo h
s.
1 1 -
e g - ai case a
o
�
1
.
1 IC hs
r r
1
1 e1 eh a - o h1e
s 1 e s la .
· or e pa 1
a SE pos 10
· alll p · 'O, a· a o
nally a lo e in o a h. sec 10n
1 ha sepa a es t' e h a o n o e loca ion
o 1·he jac. ing and -.
s o h_ d
1c O Ho el Sp i X: 1

res . onse o ce - ain im- ortan o t 1e Sph·nx can be,

-rect d o 'sta e a v -rriou ou, s In 1 y. ln r,espons e to t 1e le elll
1 1

of nervous e ergy 1-n h, , . , ropors as . . 1h i the who; e head ca ·1 be

jacked up or down.

,2 . .
 -1 are (no Roos n is a long abou I

(20 _as
· a h si·· s 11 n as· u s-
. es
s· e · 19 __
.
1
,
es aon : 1s 1 o · e··
· · plies - o Is I e cape zo o ,esor ha o .e .
· ro a saf,e dis a he s ec· acle of rn1 ,g?
h · i Jand s plann s h v so far chose·n · , 1 1 e-
1 hiaiugh no mo e tt,, n 50 meters from M __ n tt n l r ,s no - conriecte
to t he m.other isla n er �y by a cable car (cal ar ·d in a cheerfiu 1
• holid.ay'' pu rpl ) w I ase servtce cou ld easny be sus · · li - ed in case of
u rb , n emerg·encl s.
For o ver a centu ry W tf
1 een the cross1 ,,· o '
1 1me a� Queien I oro id,g1 e rla conniects
1 an -attan to Qu a ex·t o � s alle - i'Sla ) and casuaU .
elfare Jslan . o pa 1 ·. · .•• T· e a e - o- 1 o 1 , . , idge as
b e · velop .Uba 1nCo e o
.h lo · e
a a

o· h ou h o
Qu e a carne a n 50 h
n.
·e proj e_ is in n- a resusci ation of som o , e eatur, s tha
m d.e a n h atta n' , rc 11 t e. UI e1 u1 nr i que: its · 1 • U f · y ai , · 'Se e popu�ai1
with the metaphiy ical ·. he c.ommercial wíth · e s, 11m ·, - he refined
with the primitive -which tog,ether explain Ma · t n 's former capa.city
to seduce a mass . u -i 1 nc for itself. lt al,so r viv s Man hattan's tradi·
tion of 'testing' cer ·ai h ·n1es and inte-1 _ion o sm.aller, experii�
rn,entarl · labo· a o " isl 1 1 s (such as Coney jsla h b 1e ginni 1g of
ent . ry).
F 1s emons- an a Lan G i is nded ac oss · e Eas 1
o e ea SI -s ill used
·caH

· loc s a el. a n )
that runs from the b íclge so I h I cl , o n he e nter o·f the fsland: ,an
accelerated architec r I ro, . At he , ip of he -srand 1t b,eco:m es 1

am1phibious� l! eaving 1 n to u r 1nto a trot air on the r�ver� co n- cI ,ng

1

floating attracti o· s t · o ,r 1l , o stab ish then1selves on and.

hose b ocks CC 1 e f _ e n for future generatio
uil ers.
ro nor - o sou h
oUo ing stru· res ..

L b o aI o e is h
E.- Ce 1
• ance po,c
pa

2, once r Yo . _ a e e-
reason a d ,·, 1 be bu1I i el � and .a e on e Joc · s
co pie e e histo - o O I suc 1 b 11d·ng is a Sup e a-
is chitec o s _ on . a d of 'he an a an s yllne
sometim �n he 1 in , co 110 u n1 ver receiv1ed.
Due to ar unsp, _ ci ·e h ould be ab� 1e to susp,1e·nd
gravityJ · hre invo vemen1 01 vic' s chi cton, w·. h ; he surface o·
the earth was enuous: · 1,, y co ld assu1 , .t any mo:ment the sta us
of artifíclal planets visi i g 11,e rth only occa i'ona,lly- if at all. The
Ar.chitectons had no prog1 m: • uilt wi hou purpose I hey] may be us
by man for his own pur os s ... Th,ey w r supposed o be ,uconquere '
1 1

programmatically by a fu· ure civilizatJon hic t deserved the.m. Without

functionr- Archítectons si1 ply xis , b 1'lt from uopaque glass concrete,
tarred felt heated by elect ic1 y a I net wi hout pipes .... The plane is as
simple as a tiny spec · , -v -yw re cc ,s ib�e o, the man Irving ·nside i ·
who, i1n fine· weathe . m y sit on i s SlJt ·_ice� . �''
1

3, j n t e m-ddle of h e,ve1�opm n ís the harbo

carve ou1 o e o k -e urres s eh as boas- in
his case · o man 8 1 . : d lin ac · ( 932)

30
 lía
o he lef = Queens
island n1 he iddle

in on
I

a smaU rsland. On M-tnl t a 1 - � e1,

he ,.sepé;Jn.Jtron·· of Hotel ph1 x R A
Building. ln Queens i j'd s .r �io11 k" wii 1
its mode n housmg: Lh' �uburb; 1 h 1 opsi,
sii.gn; the Power Stati n. Ap _ oac. _ , ti l l
riv.er is t he float1 ng pool

02
4. South of t.tiie, harbo is k wi h , CI iines .'' swn11ming poo� �n
he form· o a s u re. p ,rt iS e rv, d ou of the isla,nd, , He the
com 1 pl:ementary part ·s 1 1 � 1 h .-,1 _ e Th origínal coast ine has
become t ree,­ 1- ·• hin,es,e brí,dg,e that fotllo s �
J n t e line o he, n u 1 i ao s a · e i her e d
a o I oc · er roo he b -idge (one· fo · en
e o h,e · m ra � rom h - dle o
t e brid e rom r- h e e ss bea

he i la 1 0 r - ai ce
az

La .·ao o 11n - s

n ice
rU

303
Welfare Palace Hotel (1976)
The Weltare Palace Hotel - a uCity within a City" - occupies the block
near the t1p of the island. tt accommodates 10,000 guests, and each day
as many visitors again. lt 1s a composition of seven towers and two slabs. 1
The ten-story slabs are placed on the edges of the block to define the
"field" of the Hotel. Since the island tapers toward the tip, the block of the
Hotel is incomplete, but the two slabs still run the full width of the island
li
into the water so that the shore runs through the Hotel as a geological
fault. On the field between the slabs, six towers are arranged in a V forma­
tion, pointing at Manhattan. A seventh tower on the Queens s1de does not
"fit" on the 1sland; it has become a horizontal water-scraper with a roof­
garden on 1ts former facade.
The towers increase in he1ght as they move away from Manhattan; the
tops are so designed that they "stare" at Manhattan, especialfy at the
RCA Bu1lding, which steps down toward the Hotel.
The Hotel has four facades, designed individually to respond to the
different formal and symbolic demands of their respective situations.
The southern facade, along the semicircular plaza, is the dominant
elevation. Three-dimensional fragments have dissociated themselves from
the main slab to lead their own lives. The fragments have a double
tunction: together, they form a decorat,ve relief with an explicit figurative
message - a city colfapsing; separatety, they provide differentiation of the
Hotel's accommodation - small palatial skyscrapers that can be reserved
for pnvate functions. The materiais of the fragments are as diverse
as possible - marble, steel, plastic, glass - providing the Hotel w1th the
1
history 1t would otherwise lack.
The ground floor of the Hotel is subdivided into a series of independent
zones, each with its own particular function:
The first zone - the sector closest to Manhattan -is a theater and night­
club-restaurant on the twin themes of shipwreck and uninhabited island. lt
holds 2,000 people -only a small percentage of the Hotel's visitors. lts
floor is inundated. A stage ,s carved out of the steel hull of an overturned,
sink,ng ship. Columns are disguised as lighthouses, frantically piercing the •

darkness w,th their beams. Guests can sit, eat and watch performances on
the terraces along the water or they may board the lifeboats - luxuriously
equipped w1th velvet benches and marble tabletops -that emerge trom a
hole ,n the stnking ship to move slowly through the interior on submerged
tracks. Opposite the slnking ship is a sandy island, symbolizing Manhattan
in its virgin state. lt can be used for dancing. Outside the Hotel, exactly

304
 o e· access
,(co11cealed be · e ·
·1th park on 01
01 e.ac, s1de of ·he - ol

. 1

into a three-d 1-n I sional u . 1 wl _kl1 f11 nc 01 s

a.s I uxury accom t od · b n.
1 n V ·fo rriatio, are slx sl1yscr" p rs - eh wi h
its OWr) CIUb (WllOS e p ·CUV� t -1 S ,..1 ·,
rei ated to he rnytholo. y · s�r.i hsl d on 1
grou nd I oo · o· eacl1 tow,erJ.
Tower l; locker rcoms, s u r b r

by círc:u,mfe,ren ial p · I; · owe·

;as b:ar; to,· elí 3: Expr smnii,s
. he murra!· tov.Mer 4: vac" n ; 01'\i·
restal!Jrani ; o v r 6: � el.f .
·e I gh b!ue in ron of
sk atí n · ri n ; o h I h
it �Chines ·
he
bet een · a ha1 . n d W1el ,are �sJa d fllo,a s · 1 ire 1 1 .production of
1
é-icaul s Ra - o· h M u a.� 1s a s mbol of 1 - nhr ttan s e ropoli
ed and e · irty o escape.
a r pe

seu pi ur · . d as dane_ se _ a 1

p od ce· · si h 1 1 - ro _ g idden
1 he second .zon 01 e H 1-open o h 11r ep es n s he slan
found an ·s Hn 1th shops.
Th,e hi rd zone - .· t, r. . h
1 1
caiurse of the · r vel . · 1s iinterrupted - is
reception area I
f ti e, Ho el.
IBeyond that is ti e, fou th zone -the hor�zon · .1 w ·t r-scrap er with a p rk 1

on top and con r nce f cil ities inside.

Tlle '"e 1s a di ·er n lu th,e top of eac 1
,ky e· r. The·ir .glass viso s
1c. 1líl retrac; o ex o 1

Th hemes · · l11e clu

em on he loor so hat e e ators hu .e · e n _ o 1n e
- ea 10 s of s
h ITI a 1 o - o r-
D. : la

lC e e
·. isplac _ - 1ng shjp_ Gu __ s ap a, s h .r
he e ho_ ia o, app con ol obl I ious
h occur · 30. floors belo
The th1r _ to er 1s , n 1
p,r ss101r1istí:c environ I n , · onclud-ng· the
. ·gitat�on of he ou h f e de in a paroxysm d ·cor �ve ar-brtraríne·ss.
he top of the· faur h · ow r is vacant and awaits utu e, unspecified
occupanc1es
The top of the fi tlh tower, whijch stands in w t · is . waterfall whose
1.

nipr 1ed1ictable e 1 1101 · ill be vis1i ble ·fria, CI y.

T e top of he o 1e th one fur1 11e , om !Manha: an is •
1

. - ina ed
and 1es 01 e
il g o
li'

os. ela i. ns i s i · he

e za 1 IC

1 1a as ur o . e · oll.
The Story of the Pool (1977)
MIDSCOW 191 23
A' school one ·ay a s u e le ·g , 1 , , ing s in n1íng , ooL Nobody
remembe ed who jt .· n i n h - a· r. O hers. e re
des· ning ·1ying cí i r ol i I pia ne . So - eo -
g pooL Th f 10 1n
a -i
- .
1 con am1na s step mo _ es
·drcal i orf
pro e
apo

o r
as a 1 ai os
.
1 s 1 ep . 1 d
s·
soe ZJ e
os a r
h pro o e· b e_ e u
o�
uild r
. . .
1n n,Ison - n om one en of , e, po I o
t1e o her-the po sfo: 1 · in he opposi e . ·rec 10n.
They e_ e amaze. o i on · ae - a I t i t ,. as
e plarned by a s,mpl aw o , 10n = rre e ,,on.
1n the early h i ties he poli ic 1 - 'I -
11
io 1 - h1ch . d one:e stimula ed
proJec s such as he pool b _ e r11 1ig1d ven 0 1minous. A few years lati r
stHl (the poo� was qL it t us y ow u , pu! as ever), the- �deology it
t'epresented becam - sus e . An id .uch .- s, the poot its shrtiness �ts
aj rnost invrsib,le physicar ice ·erg .. lJ ke qua I ity of its sub-
,merged socia.l activ-,ty, li h: s ec m sudden�y subversive.
1 n a secret meeting, · h rei i tec s/J i ·egu, rds decidecl to use the pool as
I

a ve h icfe for t hetr es _ pe to f e am1� ro gh _ h by now wel��rehearsed

n ethod of uto·propulsion · � ·y couJ go - nywhere in h.,e wodd where
the·re w·as water. ,I was o,nty 1 .ire ,1 - -_t h y wanted togo to Am1,er�ca,
espec-iially Nlew Y'or 1 • ln a w 1y, · e p,oo� -· 1s, Man'h ,ttan block rea Uzed in
Masco,, -, �eh ·ou d ow re e is og� 1 d ·si ii. afon.
E r!y one orning ín h,e 11 he are Ij ec s · irected e
-_ ool a ay o asco · b len Jess laps r t di e ion
o he golde onio s o · he

3 7
·.· E YORK 976
dul1 e li eguard/a e 1_ u n - he com
· eJected b o

9.22
dist .. gra :ed
o .he · ea s h o er e somes · · loc er roam/
corn,dor in .o ·ro m ', ith improvised ammo s as amaz1n o. ·
'er 40 years at s , 1 r1 1 t�onships b,et, en · 1 e n t stabUi
bu continued. o d1 ,pi y _ vo_a iiiliíty famillia1r r · ·�an novel:s� j1ust
b úre· arrivin.g in tll e New Wor ld
1 1 there had b en fl r -up of hysteri
which the archi e,c /swimm rs had been una-.1 ·o· x ·lain, ·except as
,a delayed r,eaction o hei collective middle age·.
They cooked on P '" �1 i' 1v, stove l�ving on 'SiUp U- o preserved cabbag
and omato 1es and on · e I ish hey found eac d b 1ea. washed into
..
e pool by e la · ic' ·aves. ( ·1 hou · e ese 1s · ere a·
o ca e . e to . ool s im e s t .)
h had . s 1m a a

a ,·as
. rs an
lSlO -s
· Eas I r)
as piroof: 1 h · he clo 1 . s re �ec ed 1· 1 s s ce as more· han a1
.Skyscraper - i · s eh of ' 1eaven e e on e ,
Oniy he Zeppeli · h-y h d seen cross ng rh,, A ,1 1ni·, i1c w1th infur1a i1ng
v,elocilty 40 years before wer _ missiing. They h ·. xpec··ed tihem to haver
o ver t h e Me r o po� is I i ke a · - e n se e I o ud d ríft o f w e i gl1t I e s s w h a I es.
When the pool dock,ed ne r Wal'I Street, the rchitects/swimmers/
1 ifeguards we·r,e shoc d a the u n i·form ity (dress, be havior) of th·e.i r visi ors
wl o swamp,ed h e cr 1
in brute rush hrou · h h · lock rs ,and show 1 I s,�
comp,le ely · no, w • 1nstr e ions o ·' h 1 upe in· endents.
Had Communism d meric hil,e he . lan i ?
h1s as . - all
ro where
They oo o ·f g in in shock, directíng he pool ur 11 r ups r r usty

rir ally-to spawn?

TH -: L, ·T _
o Yo we e neas abot t 'he s . d
I in I 1 ,rs. te a j, ia d1 g
(so e i e famous o her on h o ha n ai: all S

7 n o

SI e -n IC

h· n sa
. .
ICI y o re
1. s r d 1 pro ec s o k h
d e
li o o er ith r e e
e Hec mve 1ed r a· a discr
, u ,d of r e skynne l , PP -
Yo k - 1 ve a grac·o s sp eh� Th me C'
.
j
.
o 1

, 1 es h, rem1nd ed he sw1mmers I w 1

_ u Of · of Man .· ttan's presen ar.chi e s h o ink

new , . � o ...
Th Rus i · s r, d it. lt said 1
THERE IS NO EASY WAY F Q,M I EA1R'TH
T01 TH A S. Loo:king at the starry sky refl ct ·. in the ,, ow r
·, n f 11 ir pool, o . are hitect/lifeguard, s till d ri pping wet f o · the last
1
nsw re for alll o·f them: ·,we just went, ram Moscow · 0 N w York....' ' 1

Th n h y ov into the wa er to assume their fam1il' r "f rm 'io ,

5 · IINU ES .-·T
o p _ce Hotel1 he r 'ft h Con.· 1c 1vr . e ui, s
1

Qi
'
o the Medusa: optirnis \JS. P· s 11n1, 1

1h l poo rces ro gh t e pi· S IC O e ui

. n, o h u
 Notes - -

2� - -

nc o
. _9 - �
1 p. 10.
B d s� Com )

of t Ci o
) . . p. 2 26-
t 1n, 1 n_or
Pas · P esen · and h u e.
7 R "ps. f'he . a 111 o Ur, an , m f fand.
331-39. hrbi ion t S,
s. 11 ld. oto rap 1ic Compan , 90 ).
9. 1mam Rk'hards, Day in 1he r .s I ory o ,..on y lsland, p. 2.2.
, no' ow t,o A,1ake f1e lt1crst of � N� Yo 'k,
11 3). , i .
O. OfficiaJ Gu;d,fjJ O{ k J N ,,w Yi I Wi l 1' r Ir '1 12.
•

(N ew York: Ex posit�on P u bl ication· , 193 '). 2�, 1 . ,j 1 ,

,

5, 1 i p, 16�
I

CONEY l:StAND: . "'oney f5land.

THE TECHNOLOGY OF THE FA.NTASTIC 27, il ·· n orn; Sodorri y h ,. Sea,
1. Li r,d say Den ison r riThe Bigges PI 'rou cl p, 168,
the Vi/orl d ,, Munsey 's r0agaz1ne, Aug st 905, 28, D ni 01 , ' Th B"ggest Playgrou nd .
1 11

2. Maxin1 Gorky1 ''Boredom,' Th rn - n ·· nt, 9, r,, The New CosmopoNs (New

A U,S' 8, 1907.
3, H'sto1:y af Coney {sLa,nd ( ew Yo : Bi..1,11' · or d
& Co.. 904) pp. , 7. -dm,oor ''Th·e Real Coney lsla d/
ni on� '"Th Br es � 1 g.r u U l!JS ]89
o · cCulloug � Good Old Co Is 11
Yor : C arles Scribner·s So s. l · ), 06.
are ··rom Broo I n
. G · e Cone. lslan ( on I la 1 06. an B,oo lyn
ib a ,. . �)� . 90Z

313
3 ' Ar 1 • e N w y k I r
I /Q ' b r LI e y 2 2 190 9. 1 6. t11 s !Ju ilding
35. orl De�ch-arnes (: nd p u l;
3'.. H 11 rr,. � 1
0,n · I e sea. .am e y gr t ui
• 1,
37 � 1 ., 7

n · I la . . 331.

p
2

2
li 2 P n J/ 5
2 _ E.mpu

1ld1n 2 . Ed
rir He ld. u os.
925 . PPT 2° 5
_ Fr '1 C o• n 1111s • 1

Yo Paf. ce o_ orJ
Q, Asto ·a (,or ... 193
,. - ru r 27. 3 1- LI ge r r T I

32. Em pf S a ,
1

Í h1 ' C 101 Son v- r O -s 33. Wilíram F. rn

H1JJr, d n1 ro M r ock -emb on, '' rc 1/t
t� 1ys -C�s No es t )r ·.� f=órurn r .J· r LI ry 19 - J,
Cor , rs ono / 1 N w Yo ke1� ay !. 1930; a nd on 34. Empi re St< d� 11 1 fi� r y.
1 1 111 1 ( ri >rn r· Cue,. A pril 9, 35. Paul St rreti', Ch ,1Gt -. ,,vnn �.· A ,
4 . Autobiogrart (N w Yo 1: WI it I s·. Hou -·,
1

3, 1 1 ri Collins ow I iftl ltven t.Ji::] Oi'd �nd

1 938t PP. 284-308,
N.w H:t '24 NwYor: Oiicicl 36, f., npil s t ; A f Ustory.
1� 1:: l�cat 1 1 o /\v nu A soei atlon � ]

24 .. ' 1 7 - . .38. Luci us Born11

1 , J , C11 t e-d ra i o f t e VVo J d ;· 1 n C r �, in � 111 1, 1 U
� Pilac.(], Cc. p. 16 17.
7). 3 . ,- �d.
. u a r li�rd. ns O e
O 1 p .a 5ãnC0-
1

pf ce o l
Yo
d ,
43. Kenne h rvL MtJ chso11, ·.A ri.::l1il-c 1
14, .A.li q , }! � 1 io11s irotn o d Hoocl are il
i21 1 '

C o w uns r e o , Uno ; 1a J P a I e , r. 2 3. f. , 15 ale "'A Ci

1 v Unde a S ngle R·oo /"
. Francis L enya:on. u rni in - n 1 o�embe _929.
ecora'"" ion ' 1 n 11b1 • po. 33- New · ork f he Futur �
5. Luciu:s Boorne t.1S ot d b 1 or re - r.re A ,_, u gu - 1 ·3
, _
· n ... fl-J'orn n a e he V a 1 - r f • t n I b11t.. • p ' .
6 Clyde Ce r: ar u e. De
in 1b;d_!' p. 6 .
. 8 m r. ·T 1 e G ates ol "' -he esi no cke
- orb I F n m. a uar 9 32,
p.
... Las

"'
er '

o ·FEC 10
TH ,E
a
a mo n 27
ai e .. 39.
. 21 an
I �tu a Fo L e. �- ruar 1933,
ela�ls gen
lt r•n1 in pe son:aJ m1 ff v � s. 30, IJ w lace or' J e Na ion i bro hu
2. K lham, aymond 1-lood, . L e1 .ora e H:1e opie ing o Radl CJ y
3. ª
1
ood' Arcb,·t,ectura Fo un. �0twua � 3 ,
p. 133. bu o Forrune, J nua ry 1933.
Sê Hov\'·ard Rob r son ''A Ci t o I O\!\ s
1

Proposals. Made by t he �\1@11 · K 11( wn A1 1er t= 1 2. S l'i·vp, ·1 • e o J1e \la,Uon.

Arcll itect, Rayrn nd lood f o l ,� S I t io1 o t
I 3 . K il 1 · 1 1 1 •h 1 ff10íld Hoocf,, p. 193 .
. r... w York 's Probl err1 of OvercroWdjn ,' A, ·,l°te 1
, ,'l. ' 01" ti e R cord
1
_r'

anel BufJc ing News, Octobcr ?. 1 192 ?i 3::l, ' b I oi � City/1 pp. 62 67.
pp, 639- ·.2 6, r lri11T1 D. VVol �\ D1eg Ri\-'era -H ··� Llfe
. 5, North� Rayrnnnd I oo f j n l a t e lon, ct Ti, .it' New York: AI fred A. Knop , 94- J .
6 1 ugh Fer ·s:s i , e tv1e ro,_ool�. f.lf lmnorroN, 1 ?37.
�� 38. /, AI r · 1 K reli.a cL a oted in 1b1d_,. P- 240.
7. K lh rTI, R· yrrion '"', h' o ·� . 17 8. Dr os1 fon of t 1 · ir 1� 111!1

8 Nor . Rayrr. on'n ooo, p. I i)fC l 9 2.

H · . 2. t ga · , ·er.3� p. 337.
8.
lL or . R .· m nd H P- •
2. 1 id .. P- 8 .a q ote I i - w1

l . bid.. _ 12

3 5
 3 . 1 · ; . p. 35 7. pni 27 n ·. 7.
• 1 bid .. p. 359, an a, D lL u V1Ue adeuse Pa is:
n a ( e Yo · C j 1 - t p. 129.
_ 28-29. n Ca
63. mi

a· h
r

50 . 207.
5_ ar ·ey , ile_y Corb 1, 1
o l t 881- 934; 1 20. 11 1 Wi1 �1 n o lí o '
Sep ember 1934. ' C u I r, L v·ne radie use. p. 20.
22. 1 id't d lar, e t y for Sunday, J ly 22, 193 •
EUROPEANS: 81 UER ! p. 260,
DALI! AHD LE CORBUSlíER
CONQU:E·R NEW YORK Sec,e LJ
· . SaLador OaJi "
. 23 19 1. 2 e�1
.
•

2. e Corb s1er.. as uo 'ª ti 25. H OJ

o r2 , 2 a -,bune O r •
9· 5.
2 '. L

or Dai ·s 3 . L
íon o he 1 hi e, p.

ps chose
p ra o·,aqu,e 1ns p r s v e la D h,
p rson é:1li · · :· 33, Hu I F ss ow r ln Buitdings, pi , 30,
7. Dalf, La Fe,nn,e vi i )/ a . , Offlcial Souvenir Bo k,
8, Salvador Dalí. JounJ I 'u · , i { Paris: f'<l ,w York wo- I ' . r N ew York: Exposit ion
d i 1 i on s de a Ta b 1 ,e R:o 1 ) , . 11 · f o· J u I y 12, Publications, · 3 ), p, · ,
1 2. 35. Ofl Ci I lj Oll , N w York Wotfd's F lr 1

For a more 1U it 25 193'9.

a .1ons · desc ipfo o UN
d si. L Co si r� U
, i n old = . 9 -7

o a 2. a

6
 10

Fi i e .··ca

E1se · man D ic
e. 1
s n n .a ·ln. 1

Spear. red S a Ja · . Un li n · ehn a· d Elia

z nghers ave s · oo s p· ogr se_ · f hou· 1n any ayl e g
r espons-ble fo its co
1

J mes Raimes a d St. 1ani .· ol . v ie n �bu ed o h1e boo

h ·ou,gh heír e it,ca! · 1n 1 ev1. n mor 1e through
· h ir co:ntinuous mo.ra I sup
1 1
01

Wi1 hout Georges ·Herscher, Ja qu M illa . se I: · 1Ogée and Syl1vtane

Rey the book wou,d eve hav 1• becom1 physic 11 re·a1I ity.
Walter K il ha1m1 J r. � has be n xcep fona� ly g ·n .rous in .sharing his orrg1nal
materia�s and his recollec io1 s.
Active c.aUaborators a· various st· g s o the work- a�I of them1 invaJuable -
have been Liv[u Dimitriu, Jer mL r nk, R .hei Magnsso, Germaíl
Mart�nez, Richard Perlmut r De rick S are nd Ellen Soroka..
The App ndrx is a coHec ive pro
1e e I n of M ·delon Vriesendorp Eha and
Zoe ZengheHs andl n1ys if workin o et. , in the1 O1ffice fo-r Me,tropo11li an
Arch ite·ctu re.
· · ove a 1, Delitious N·e Yor o . 1 p C1� il le t o insp1�r. i,on and
r 1n 'orce e t ·o .· d lo V jesen, irp�

17
Cred t

P_ mu
m

n
ps

: 268

- sso o . New York- 118

n IIr e/ 93 r 2 2-3, 205

Sa1v�1rlor D 111 M �s ur , Cle I l;.;1nd:

t· orr 1 ,gl _ ·, ?.44 .- r
-1 Sei slL 11 1 i · Service: r 7-4 botom
W Ido ri-A o i H o 1 1 :
p1 4 ·
 p A R

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AGENC

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